No one level of government can successfully address social issues on its own.  That point from Saskatoon’s General Manager of Community Services, Lynn Lacroix, directed to the Planning, Development and Community Services meeting.

Administration presented a requested report on developing a strategy to deal with community safety and well being which included a timeline of three years.  A motion from Mayor Charlie Clark for more clarification on the scope and objectives and to have the plan ready instead in one to two years was passed unanimously.

The Mayor says the level of concern around the way systems are failing people with addictions and mental health challenges and other social issues is being felt in all of Saskatchewan’s cities and beyond.  He has had conversations with many of them and says they need to band together for a common message to the provincial government.  Clark says the city’s roles are changing and it’s critical not to recreate programs that should be done by the province.