Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Tribal Chief says the fix for the city’s homelessness crisis involves a facility specifically for people with complex needs. Tribal Chief Mark Arcand says the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Emergency Wellness Centre has had to turn some people away due to altercations with fellow residents and staff members. He notes that the people causing trouble are often the same ones with severe drug addiction, mental health issues, and complex needs, and they are usually the ones committing the crimes, as well. He says the Centre has a good reputation, but those with additional needs are hindering that.

Arcand urges the residents of the Fairhaven neighborhood, where the Wellness Centre is now located, to try not to paint all homeless people with the same brush and come to the Wellness Centre to see what they are doing. He says no matter where a facility for those with complex needs ends up being located, it has to be funded properly and staffed with medical personnel to deal with potential withdrawal symptoms.

He acknowledged the protest that occurred last Wednesday regarding the Emergency Wellness Centre, where members of the Fairhaven community said the facility has destroyed their neighborhood and makes it unsafe. Arcand says they have the right to express their opinion, and he respects that, however he believes that people with those views make up a small percentage of the city.

Arcand spoke at a barbeque event put on by the Saskatoon Knights of Columbus members at the Wellness Centre.