'The will of the people': Petition calling on City of Regina to commit to solving homelessness crisis
As the one-year anniversary of the formation of a tent city in Regina’s Core Community Park approaches, a petition is calling on the City of Regina to commit to ending the homelessness crisis.
Alysia Johnson and Rally Around Homelessness believe plans and ideas from city council are nothing new. Johnson has penned a petition to Regina city council to turn their words into action.
“It’s a pretty simple ask,” she said. “Funding to end homelessness needs to take priority in the 2023 budget.”
According to Homeless Hub, 488 people in Regina experienced homelessness in Regina in 2021. Among those, 79 per cent identified as indigenous.
Johnson said her petition has been met with overwhelming support from people living in all areas of the city.
“The will of the people is there,” she said. “I would love to see that reflected and for councillors to understand this is their constituents want and are asking for if they just get out and talk to them.”
The city said it is having discussions about solving the crisis.
“The request was to create a budget line item to determine the actual dollar amount needed to implement a reaching home initiative,” said Mayor Sandra Masters. “That will be considered at budget in December.”
Masters also said the city is collecting data on the number of people who are in need of secure housing as the colder months approach.
“A number of individuals who may have been living on the streets during the summer would have had little interaction with social services,” she said. “We expect them to start showing up places in order to access warmth.”
Masters added the city has $1 million set aside for the operational costs of 29 new units opening in spring 2023.
Johnson said she plans to present her petition to council when it discusses the budget in December.
“It’s going to show council there is broad support,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you live in the city and if they listen to their constituents, they’ll know what their priorities are.”
Homeless Hub also said there were almost 33,000 visits to food banks in Saskatchewan last year. To help those experiencing food insecurity, community fridges have popped up in various areas around the city.
Saltine Bakery has seen a need for bread and buns and has stepped up to donate their baked goods to those in need.
“Bread is such a primitive food product,” said owner Ashley Schmalenberg. “Everyone should be able to eat fresh bread and have food on the table.”
For just $5, a customer may support their cause by purchasing the ingredients needed to make the donated bread. On top of that, Saltine donates their excess product to various community programs.
“We need to open to the fact that those things are going on,” said Schmalenberg. “It’s easy to turn a blind eye. But if the community can take the time to dig into the [the issue], you become aware of just how many people are food insecure.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.