When the two new emergency shelter locations for Saskatoon are chosen, there will be public meetings to clarify any questions residents may have. That was stressed by Councilors at the Governance and Priorities committee meeting. As well, a motion was approved that the province and the service provider should also being at the meetings to answer questions because the City is only responsible for choosing the locations for the shelters.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says he has heard from the government about the model of service provider they are thinking about. Each would have about 30 beds. “What the province is talking about is a service provider similar to the way the Salvation Army currently operates and the Wellness Centre, within the facility – the type of supports they have within those two facilities in terms of being able to connect people to supports and services.”

Administration is compiling a list of possible locations. City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says he hopes they will be able to announce locations by the end of the month, and then there will be public meetings. He stresses that these shelters won’t affect the City’s budget. The province is funding the shelters. The only thing the City is adding is in-kind staff time in finding the locations and once the shelters are up and running, whatever first responder support would be needed in the neighbourhood.