NDP leader calls on the province to do more for homeless and vulnerable people during pandemic

NDP leader Ryan Meili says what the provincial government is doing for the homeless and most vulnerable in Saskatchewan is not enough.

On Wednesday he called for a $3 million aid package from the government – $1.5 million for local shelters and $1.5 million for local food banks.

“The most vulnerable, that’s never been a sector that this government has been strong on supporting, but whatever the motivation might be, the clear thing we need to say is this is wrong and it needs to be fixed,” said Meili.

He said there has been millions of dollars in support of Canadian food banks from provinces and the federal government, but zero dollars from the Saskatchewan government.

Meili said after an outbreak of COVID-19 at a drop-in shelter in Calgary, it’s clear people who are struggling need supports to make it through this difficult time.

He said the province has fallen short on those supports, including getting people off the streets.

“Despite being told that this was the big plan – that there were 2900 units available, only 10 have been made available through Sask. Housing,” Meili said.

Meili said it is critical to ensure the needs of the homeless and vulnerable are met, because an outbreak of COVID-19 in those sectors would be very difficult to control.