The Saskatchewan NDP is not happy with what it calls a lack of strategy when it comes to the homelessness crisis in Regina. During debate in the legislature on Tuesday, NDP MLA Nicole Sarauer asked a question of Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson. “Two weeks have come and gone, but nothing has changed for folks on the front line. What has the Minister of Social Services been doing since the encampment came down?” Sarauer was referring to the dismantling of the homeless encampment in Core Community Park on Oct. 27. According to Jenson, the provincial government has a plan in place to help those that were forced to leave. “With regards to the encampment at Pepsi Park, 11 individuals in the first three days from that encampment, chose detox and got treatment,” Jenson said. Jenson added that the government is working to provide those in need of assistance in finding shelter. “That is what we are doing as a government is ensuring that each and every individual who needs help, who needs assistance, who needs to be navigated to a place where they can start to rebuild their lives, that is a commitment that this government has made as under our provincial approach to homelessness,” Jenson said. But many disagree with Jenson’s words – a small contingent of whom were on hand at the now fully fenced off Core Community Park on Tuesday to voice their displeasure. That included Mandla Mthembu of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry. “A vast, vast, vast majority of folks are still without a house, are still trying to access the same services they were accessing when they were here at the park,” Mthembu said. “They’re still scrambling to try to figure something out before the winter, when we know how dangerous and how grave that living outside this winter season for people.” Ward 8 City Councillor Shanon Zachidniak laid out a four-tiered plan that she wants to see the provincial government act on. It includes: “We are ready to work with the provincial government, with urgency to pursue that funding and make sure our city is next in line,” Zachidniak said. “This is an opportunity for all three levels of government to collaborate and get more people housed. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by.” Zachidniak added that the plan of action for the government needs to happen now when it comes to getting people off of the streets and into shelters, as winter is fast approaching.
