The Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council says today’s (Fri) funding announcements from the province around homelessness and mental health and addictions are welcomed. The STC runs the Emergency Wellness Centre and has various other programs to help people facing challenges.

Mark Arcand says he gives the province a lot of credit for stepping up with the funding for 155 supportive housing units, 120 emergency shelter spaces, 30 complex needs emergency shelter spaces, and at least 500 additional addictions treatment spaces. Although, he believes the 30 beds for complex needs won’t be enough across the province, but realizes it’s a start. On October 1st, the STC’s emergency shelter stopped allowing people to stay who had complex needs who weren’t accepting help for safety reasons for residents and staff, and because they didn’t have the medical staff or equipment.

The Tribal Chief believes the STC can be part of the solution in the homelessness plan. He says, “We haven’t made a commitment to look at additional properties but we are open to it. We believe at STC, we have the tools in the toolbox to actually help people.”