Square One and The Good Neighbors Group can represent a path forward for Moose Jaw where voices are heard, and leadership is focused on the practical needs of the community without being compromised by differences. Let us focus on what matters and build a stronger, united community.
I have attended meetings and volunteered with both groups. I know that each group wants what is best for Moose Jaw, but they have different approaches. I will work with both groups to find a solution.
City Council needs to support these groups’ efforts and extend leadership for an Advisory Council where the community can meet in a town hall setting and find workable practical solutions that meet the needs of our unhoused and addresses the loitering, panhandling and downtown criminal behaviours. These undesirable behaviours cannot be entirely attributed to the homeless population. I believe that there is some overlap, but blaming one group is dividing our city.
My understanding of both groups is that Souls Harbour and Square One have their first purpose in supplying the immediate needs of our homeless population. Secondly, it is to advocate and expand that assistance to longer-term housing and more consistent support. There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work done by many in our community. Moose Jaw can be proud of the many volunteers and organizations that have fed and provided comfort during this trying time.
The Good Neighbors Group’s primary purpose is to advocate on behalf of the citizens for greater access to city hall, and for the city to address through proper and legal means, the growing criminal activity in the downtown core as well as loitering and sleeping in the city’s shared spaces. The negative effects of litter, harassment, and graffiti have cost businesses lost revenues and have threatened people’s safety. The Good Neighbors Group also wants longer-term housing and support/treatment options for those in need, a five-stream process. They just don’t want it to start and end with a sandwich and a bed.
Both groups want to address homelessness. Both groups want a safe and prosperous downtown, and both groups have passion and great resolve in finding solutions.
Some in our community blame The Good Neighbors for shutting down Soul’s Harbour’s location on Manitoba St. and halting the construction of a new facility.
The Manitoba St. location had many issues. The condition and limitations of the building were not conducive to growing the program or even maintaining the current one. It did not have a long lifespan. The new facility location had many challenges as well. The permits, environmental land studies, lack of construction companies able to provide services and the proximity to the Downtown Tourism businesses.
I had issue with the 10-bed, male-only facility as it was to cost over 4 million dollars; $400,000 a bed. I have questions about the feasibility of spending this amount of money on so few people and maintaining the operation of the facility with only 10 beds to receive funding for. There is a question about Soul’s Harbour having the financial resources in place to proceed. Did they have the funding to move forward?
I was disappointed that the facility did not extend its services to women. Unhoused women face incredible threats and vulnerability. The shelter was to be located in a city hot zone, where we entertain our tourists. This is an area that Moose Jaw has worked hard at restoring and providing an enjoyable experience for locals and tourists. Tourism dollars greatly impact our job market with many spin-off benefits.
I believe that the shelter should be in a neighbourhood that is safe and secure, not in a downtown business hub. Areas with high crime rates can increase stress for shelter residents, who are often already vulnerable. Safety should be a priority both inside the shelter and in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Soul’s Harbour bought land downtown with the hope and desire to serve the homeless and food-insecure people of Moose Jaw. They fundraised and attempted to build a supportive facility. They had several roadblocks from different unlinked issues and decided to leave.
Instead of blaming a citizen-led watchdog group that wants to hold the city accountable for how it serves its people, you can look at the different factors that led up to the decision for Soul’s Harbour to leave. It is easy to blame a group, but I think if there is any blame it should be directed at the city for its lack of leadership and clear processes, and the drastic change in the facility plans.
The new facility was approved in 2020 with wrap-around services and 22 units. It changed, dramatically.
The lack of city leadership, support, or mediation between all of these helping agencies, the process in which the city approves zoning and building permits, and the lack of transparency throughout the process, could have been mitigated with a city-led Advisory Committee. This project should have had more community input, and an Advisory Committee could have addressed these issues.
The city is looking to amend a bylaw. Supportive housing zoning is being proposed to have a 150-meter distance between schools and shelters. The current shelter is within that distance from Prairie South School. William Milne Place/ Square One is also within this proposed boundary. We need to address this.
Many issues remain that need to be mitigated to ensure the care and safety of our people. Bylaws need to be written that can be enforced fairly and with compassion. We need a 24-hour shelter that does not displace its clients during the day to fend for themselves without adequate washroom facilities or cover. We need a plan to assist people in regaining independence and to receive appropriate care. We cannot say that this is a mental health, addiction, policing and provincial government issue alone. This is in Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw can address this successfully.
We do not have to be aligned with any one group to want what is best for the people of Moose Jaw. We each have our way of sharing our message. We can work together on common goals. Moose Jaw can be a leader in sustaining a healthy downtown core and serving the needs of our hungry and homeless population.
It's time to come together. If you want to see improved collaboration and communication within our citizenry, vote for change on Nov. 13.
Carla Delaurier
City Council Candidate
