Municipal leaders grill provincial cabinet as SUMA convention wraps up

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Addictions and mental health supports were top of mind for many of Saskatchewan’s elected municipal leaders, as they got the chance to question premier Scott Moe and his cabinet Wednesday in Saskatoon.

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The ‘bear pit’ session capped off the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association annual convention at TCU Place, and provided delegates the chance to pose questions to the premier and ministers from across government.

Delegates from a number of communities used their time at the microphone to ask provincial leaders about issues related to addictions, mental health and homelessness.

Among those delegates was Saskatoon Ward 3 Councillor Robert Pearce, who questioned Moe about the Saskatoon Tribal Council Wellness Centre in the Fairhaven neighbourhood. Pearce, a longtime critic of the STC-run facility, questioned Moe about reducing the number of beds at the centre, a promise which he said had previously been made by the province.

Moe said the government would be willing to work with the City of Saskatoon to reduce the number of beds at the wellness centre, but the premier said the move would only be made when additional spaces become available.

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“We do need to invest in some additional emergency shelter capacity,” he said.

Moe added the government believes shelters with fewer beds are preferable, as they are less likely to be disruptive to the community. Pearce asked Moe if he was willing to consider replacing the STC as facility operator. The premier said that move was not being considered.

“We’re continuing to work with Saskatoon Tribal Council,” he said.

Ward 2 Councillor Senos Timon asked the premier about reversing some controversial changes to the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program. The changes, introduced in 2019, saw payments made directly to clients instead of landlords and utility providers. Anti-poverty advocates said at the time the changes could lead to an increase in clients being evicted.

Timon said the policy had failed and was playing a role in making the provincial housing crisis worse. He asked if the government was willing to reverse the changes.

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In his response Moe said the government was not willing to fully reverse the policy. He pointed to changes made to the program in 2021, which saw direct payments to landlords and utility providers resumed for clients deemed high-need by the Ministry of Social Services. The premier added the option is one that is available to anyone on SIS.

“The ministry can set up that opportunity for those rent allowances to go directly to the landlord,” he said.

Moe said the changes were made with the aim of creating fiscal responsibility and sustainability for those on SIS, and added the program is meant to help people transition to independence.

“It was always intended to be a bridge program to provide supports for people,” he said.

Also during the bear pit session, Education Minister Everett Hindley was asked by a delegate about why the province had not signed an agreement with the federal government to continue subsidized $10-a-day child care. The education minister assured the delegate the province is committed to making sure the program continues.

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“Saskatchewan will sign that agreement,” he said.

Hindley said prior to the federal election call he had discussions with federal counterparts about extending the agreement. The minister added the current agreement does not expire until 2026.

He said negotiations on a new agreement have taken time, due to the province wanting to make sure the agreement is a sustainable one which will allow for $10-a-day childcare to continue into the future. Hindley added there are certain “tweaks” the province would like to see made to a new agreement, but stressed the government recognizes the program’s importance.

“We know how important that ($10 a day childcare) is to communities, families, childcare operators,” he said.

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