The encampment of tents currently located near 20th Street West and Avenue K in Saskatoon now features a bright orange notice to remedy, indicating that all occupants must be out by Thursday. “They will be given every opportunity to take supports. We’ve already reached out to the shelters to see how many beds are available,” Deputy Chief Yvonne Raymer of the Saskatoon Fire Department said. “We’ve been solutioning for a transportation. So, I think at this point, it’s one of those where it’s growing in size and combustible material and risk.” According to the fire department, those in the encampment have declined multiple options for supports, and several safety concerns have been identified. Those concerns include one from CP Rail, which has train tracks adjacent to the lot where the encampment is located. Following the notice, advocates gathered at City Hall’s Civic Square Wednesday to protest the move and call for more support to help those struggling with issues related to houselessness, including mental health and addictions resources. “What brings us here today is the lack of help for unhoused people, families, kids, elders... Who is gonna assist us in taking a step forward and saying let’s go? Where is the housing? Where is the affordable rent? Tent city is our affordable housing,” David Fineday, a houselessness advocate, said. In a statement provided to CTV News, the province highlighted its efforts to fund programs intended to help with Saskatchewan’s houselessness issue. “Since the foundational Provincial Approach to Homelessness was launched in 2023, the province has worked with partners to expand supportive housing, emergency shelters, year-round drop-in services, and street outreach services in communities across the province.” The province added that the most recent budget includes support for community outreach services. “The 2026-27 budget is investing up to $38.9 million for homelessness services across the province. $7.04 million funding is going to community-led responses in Saskatoon. Regina and Prince Albert to support outreach services winter warming spaces, daytime drop-in services and other services to meet community needs.” But many at Wednesday’s rally, including Fineday, voiced concern that Saskatoon’s unhoused population has complex needs that fall outside of the assistance that has been offered. “We need help. That’s the bottom line. We all need help. There’s 3,000 scenarios out there. They’re all homeless, but they’re all different,” Fineday said. Raymer told Saskatoon’s city council that despite the best efforts of municipal services, those in the encampment are not currently seeking to access them, adding that the services will continue to be available as the encampment is taken down and afterwards. “There was that moment of, unfortunately where we have to say ‘this is happening.’ And you have this opportunity to take support and they can reach out to us at any point and we will offer support. We will do that outreach and hand them over to the experts in that area,” Raymer said. A cleanup of the site is scheduled for Thursday morning, which will include fencing off the area.
