Providing shelter for homeless people in Moose Jaw and ensuring the less fortunate can thrive were the main topics Mayor Clive Tolley discussed during his New Year’s message.
During the Jan. 10 regular council meeting, Tolley acknowledged that he was not in a “jubilant” or “joyous” mood considering Moose Jaw still faced the COVID-19 pandemic and the community recently dealt with a long stretch of harsh minus 40-degree weather.
“… as Moose Jaw people and Saskatchewan people, (we’re) looking forward to spring,” he said.
It is no secret that city council and city administration want to attract more people, businesses, and jobs in 2022, Tolley remarked. Construction of the Great Plains Power Station continues, while Donald’s Fine Foods is turning the former XL Beef Plant into a pork plant that will create hundreds of jobs.
However, while many citizens are building their lives, supporting their families and paying taxes, they should also show empathy and compassion for the community’s less fortunate who have dealt with the cold more than others, he continued.
City hall has identified the need for an emergency shelter in Moose Jaw, the mayor added. Meanwhile, council, city administration and community groups are working to ensure less fortunate people will have a place to find clothing, shelter and food next winter.
“Before we were the ‘notorious city,’ we were the ‘friendly city,’” Tolley said. “I’d like to ask the people of Moose Jaw to keep in mind that we’re still the friendly city. And let’s keep in mind the good quality of life we still have and try and extend that to every citizen we have. … we need to pull together as a community.”
Tolley thanked city administration, community volunteers, police officers, firefighters, EMS staff and non-profit groups for stepping up to help the needy and, in some cases, putting their own lives on hold to do that.
“So, I’m looking forward, hopefully next year when I make this address, that I can confidently say that anyone out in the winter will have a place to go and a place to stay,” he added.
Post-meeting scrum
During a post-meeting media scrum, Tolley said that while the municipality can provide leadership to help the downtrodden, it doesn’t have the money to go further. He thought the provincial and federal governments needed to better assist social agencies that help residents.
Tolley spoke to MLAs Greg Lawrence and Tim McLeod, who said the provincial government is working to enhance programs in social services, housing and health. The mayor also commended Moose Jaw Pride, the John Howard Society and Days Inn by Wyndham for recently helping people.
When asked if city hall could work with the Moose Jaw Housing Authority since there have been empty suites in some buildings, Tolley replied that homelessness is complex. Sometimes the problem is more about mental illness, substance abuse, the lack of identification, or even people’s inability to find the resources.
“I’m not trying to pass the buck. I’m just facing up to the fact we’ve had a few people that have required these emergency services over this cold winter and that we’re going to try to show some leadership and work with other levels of government and the non-profit sector,” Tolley said. “And hopefully, by next winter, we’ll have a better solution in place.”
Regina-based Souls Harbour Rescue Mission plans to build a new Riverside Mission building that will include a men’s shelter. The problem, he continued, is that women are referred to the organization’s Regina location for services. Thus, there is a gap in emergency services in Moose Jaw for women.
Tolley added that he felt a burden as mayor to ensure everyone was cared for.