The proposed downtown location for the city’s newest homeless shelter is drawing criticism from the chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), which runs the city’s largest emergency shelter.
The City of Saskatoon announced the proposed location on Friday — a former Saskatchewan Transit Company parcel depot behind the old bus station on Pacific Avenue destined to be renovated with a $250,000 commitment from the province.
“Is 30 beds really going to make a difference,” STC Chief Mark Arcand asked reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
“Or, do we invest in the 135 to 200 people a night and get them into services through [the emergency wellness centre], through Salvation Army, and through other programs that are already established and say, guys, we have more of an impact with the warmup shelters for the winter; guaranteed from the province.”