‘It will take all of us’: Saskatoon mayor pushes for real solutions to homelessness

WATCH: Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block wants the city to take an active role in addressing homelessness.

Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block wants the city to take an active role in addressing homelessness.

In a council meeting on Wednesday, Block directed administration to provide a report outlining ways the city can be involved in finding solutions to homelessness.

“How can council play a role, and how might we move forward?” Block asked.

“This needs to be a whole city approach. If we are going to get to the other side of this crisis, it will take all of us.”

Block asked administrators to ensure the community has their voices heard — businesses, shelters, Indigenous rights advocates, and people with actual experience with homelessness.

The mayor suggested there be a sub-committee responsible for overseeing the progress of the plan.

Block’s motion was seconded by Ward 3 Coun. Robert Pearce, who spent Sunday night at the city’s two overnight shelters - St. Mary’s and the Friendship Centre.

City councillor spends night meeting people living on Saskatoon streets

On Jan. 21, advocate David Fineday challenged councillors to join him on an evening walk through the city, to understand the severity of Saskatoon’s homeless crisis.

Pearce agreed.

Pearce said Sunday was “a powerful night” for truth and reconciliation.

“Him and I just got to be two men on the street. Two human beings helping other human beings,” Pearce told reporters.

He said he met people living on Saskatoon streets, listening to their stories and struggles.

Pearce said he met a couple who preferred to stay on the street than split up — as the Friendship Centre is only for women and St. Mary’s is exclusively for men.

“There are couples that are homeless that can’t stay together,” Pearce said.

Throughout the night, Pearce said he was giving rides to people needing to get to the shelters.

“When we were at St. Mary’s, we had a woman say, ‘Hey, could you give me a ride to the Friendship Centre?’ And we’re like, ‘sure,’ so she hopped in,” Pearce said.

“There were three or four gentlemen sitting outside and they said, ‘You know, could you give me a ride to St. Mary’s?’”

Pearce said transportation is needed between the two shelters.

“We need some shuttles running. We need some consideration about moving people between these places,” he said.

Block’s motion for administration to evaluate the city’s role in addressing homelessness was passed unanimously.