SASKATOON — The proximity of new Social Services Minister Terry Jenson is beneficial to the city, as the Warman MLA can easily visit and meet with organizations that help homeless people, like the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Emergency Wellness Centre, says the STF chief.
Jenson was given the Social Services portfolio as part of Premier Scott Moe’s 16-member cabinet sworn in last week. He was the Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement in the previous government. Warman is a 20-minute drive from Saskatoon.
Jenson replaces Gene Markowsky, who lost his re-election bid to NDP’s Sally Housser for Regina University, as he became part of the Opposition’s Saskatchewan Party’s purge in the provincial capital. The NDP won all 12 constituencies.
STC Chief Mark Arcand said he hopes Jenson’s experience as the SaskBuilds Minister will be beneficial as they try to find a proper facility to service the users, who are referred to as "relatives," and move out of their current location in Fairhaven.
“I'll say it again: it comes down to adequate facilities. We do not have a proper commercial kitchen to feed people. We need this because, in our programs, we can train people in the kitchen. Everybody knows how to cook, but we don't have a facility and must bring food from the outside. We need wheelchair-accessible showers and more rooms,” Arcand told SaskToday.
“We don't have adequate washrooms for people who come in wheelchairs or walkers. We have [bath] tubs and showers. Those are problematic situations that have to do all of this stuff. It's also got to be close to transportation because many people access bus tickets from us, and it's got to be a place where we can help people through case planning and everything else.”
He said the facility must also be accessible by bus and have a proper treatment space for paramedics to treat individuals, especially during the winter when they deal with people suffering from frostbite and hypothermia since they do not have the appropriate clothing gear to protect them from extreme weather.
“When we look at a facility, it also has to include appropriate bus routes and everything else. Still, it also has to come with adequate funding because we need to circumvent many people going to hospitals or emergency wards instead, so if we have paramedics on site and have that whole time, we can treat the symptoms there,” said Arcand in a separate interview.
“And if the paramedic says, ‘You do have to go to the hospital, call 911,’ we can bring them to the hospitals. We need a proper location. When can it get moved? I am not sure. It could be one day, a year, or three. I don't know. That's not for me to decide. We don't own the building, but we've got to work together to find a proper location with all these amenities to help people.”
Arcand said having full-time paramedics at the EWC helps treat minor medical issues and eliminates the need to go to the emergency rooms to receive the necessary care. With the right resources and space, the pressure on the healthcare system would be eased, as it is currently experiencing long wait times in ERs.
He added that they would welcome the help of looking for another facility that would suit their needs in providing service to the relatives and move out of their current location in Fairhaven, which they have been using since December 2021.
“We don’t own the building, so we must work with other organizations to determine what makes sense. We need a facility that offers all the amenities we’re missing right now—things like proper washrooms, accessible spaces, a commercial kitchen, and a dedicated paramedic area. And we need to do that within a location that makes sense for the people who rely on these services,” said Arcand.
“We are still short of those opportunities. If there are options where everybody can help, that would be great. We've just got to find a location that has all the amenities that go with it because you can't have another band-aid solution,”
Arcand said that with Jenson seeing first-hand the work they do at the EWC, he understands the issue of homelessness in Saskatoon and the challenges faced by organizations like them and others like the Salvation Army.
“I'm pleased and relieved that Terry Jenson was named the Minister of Social Services because while he was the Minister of SaskBuilds, he was coming to the city, being involved in the tours, and understanding what the EWC does. He [Jenson] has a lot of experience. I'm pleased that he's there. I think Premier Scott Moe made a great decision. Terry Jenson will come in and support the people and do what he can to help them within his budget and everything else,” said Arcand.
“I look forward to working with him on homelessness and other services needed by the people of Saskatoon. We must invest in the right infrastructure for the people who need it most. This isn’t just about building a new space; it’s about ensuring that people have the resources, the support, and the dignity they deserve as they work to rebuild their lives. Whatever the timeline is, we’re committed to finding a solution. The people who come to Fairhaven every day deserve a place that supports them in every way possible. We’re going to keep pushing until we get there.”
