Feds dealing directly with Saskatoon, Regina on homelessness

The federal government said it will bypass the Government of Saskatchewan and go straight to the two biggest cities in the province when it comes to doling out money to deal with people experiencing homelessness and living in encampments.

In a statement posted online on Tuesday, federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser said he sent a letter to each province and territory on September 18, asking them to work with the federal government to “find shelter for those experiencing homelessness or living in encampments.”

He said the letter offered millions of dollars in exchange for working together and matching the federal contributions. Fraser said the money on offer was $250 million, which was announced in the spring budget.

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In his statement, Fraser said there were only three provinces which hadn’t yet formally responded to the offer – Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta.

“While some have since entered election periods, there was ample engagement before the letter was sent, and there is no longer time to wait as the weather gets colder,” read the statement.

Saskatchewan’s writ of election dropped October 1. Two other provinces have held elections in the ensuing weeks: New Brunswick on Oct. 21, and B.C. on Oct. 19.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Sask. Party – which was in government at the time the letter was sent – said given the “proximity to the provincial election” it wouldn’t be appropriate for the province’s social services minister to take this meeting.

If the party’s members once again form government after the Oct. 28 election, the party’s statement said it would be willing to have this discussion with the federal government.

In his statement, Fraser said he was disappointed the provincial governments don’t seem to be willing to work with the federal government, as it means fewer communities will be able to get support.

“Let me be clear: we will no longer wait for them to muster the political will to act as winter gets closer and lives are put at risk,” Fraser said.

So now, according to Fraser, the federal government plans to directly approach cities in those three provinces to work with them on the issue. Fraser said the cities were chosen because of their “readiness to quickly adopt cost-matched responses.”

Regina and Saskatoon were the only cities listed in Saskatchewan. Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto are the other three.

The statement said other communities which have demonstrated an ability to quickly respond to encampments will also be approached.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the Sask. Party’s response