Saskatoon candidates weigh in on housing, overdose crises

WATCH: With the federal election just weeks away, affordable housing, homelessness, and mental health care are top of mind for some Saskatchewan residents.

A short supply of housing and the ongoing overdose crisis are on the minds of Saskatchewan residents as the federal election approaches. CTV News spoke with some local candidates to see how they plan to address these issues.

The Liberals’ housing platform includes a new housing agency that would put the federal government into the business of building homes. The agency, called Build Canada Homes, would oversee $35 billion in funding to streamline the construction of affordable housing and provide financing for homebuilders.

Greg Poelzer, a Liberal candidate for Saskatoon-University, said the plan is resonating with people he’s spoken to.

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“Some of the folks that have been the most receptive about it are actually people in their 50s and 60s, because they know their kids are trying to get into the market,” Poelzer said in an interview with CTV News.

The NDP plans to replace the current housing accelerator fund with a $16-billion fund for provinces and municipalities to focus on affordable housing. The party also plans to double the current rate of homebuilding in Canada with a goal of building three million homes by 2030.

“We need a strong community advocate, ensuring that we are all at the table, fighting this housing crisis together,” said Rachel Loewen Walker, a NDP candidate for Saskatoon West.

CTV News reached out each conservative candidate in Saskatchewan. Those who responded said they were unavailable for an interview.

Nationally, the party has said it plans to waive GST on newly built homes under $1.3 million and make it more attractive for municipalities to free up land, speed up permits, and cut development charges to build more homes.

When it comes to addressing addictions, the Conservatives recently announced it would fund recovery treatment for 50,000 people. It also said it would shut down supervised consumption sites.

Loewen Walker said she would champion supervised consumption sites and advocate for increased mental health supports.

Poelzer said his party would support supervised consumption sites. He also said he would advocate for more resources towards mental health.

-With files from the Canadian Press