(Archive photo of Libby Giesbrecht / 650 CKOM)
According to the Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services, the services will be moved out of the Lighthouse, a shelter in support of downtown Saskatoon that has been the source of much criticism and controversy.
Minister Gene Makowsky joined John Gormley on Thursday morning to discuss issues around the lighthouse and made the surprise announcement.
“I’ve been concerned about the model they have at the lighthouse, with so many services concentrated in one area of downtown Saskatoon,” Makowsky said.
“For these reasons, what I and the government have decided to do is move these services out of the Lighthouse.”
Makowsky said the lighthouse has been notified of the province’s decision, but has yet to offer a response. Meanwhile, Makowsky said the government has been in talks with Saskatoon Tribal Council tribal chief Mark Arcand, who has led the creation of a new shelter and welfare center.
This shelter has a better model than the lighthouse, said Makowsky, which is run by indigenous people and culturally appropriate.
“We appreciate you taking a step,” Makowsky said.
No firm timetable has been set to move services away from the Lighthouse, the minister said, stressing the need for a “timely transition” that will involve both social services and the Ministry of Health.
Makowsky said his “number one priority” is the vulnerable population that depends on these services.
“People, our fellow citizens, who receive services at the lighthouse will continue to receive those services,” he said. “It will be somewhere else.”