The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce considers the announcement that the Saskatoon Tribal Council has a new larger Emergency Wellness Centre with support from the government welcome news. CEO Jason Aebig, says it’s getting colder out there, so this means more people experiencing homelessness will have a clean, safe and warm option over the winter. It also means STC can deliver its ground-breaking, Indigenous-led approach in buildings and grounds better suited to the complex needs of shelter residents.

The building at 415 Fairmont Drive also includes a large fenced-in outdoor area. In June, Aebig says, the Chamber called for dedicated on-site outdoor space as a requirement for any future shelter facilities in proportion to the number of people they shelter, to lessen the impact on area businesses and residents, and the safeguard the dignity and well-being of shelter residents.