Mayor Block addresses Saskatoon encampment, homeless count halt

Nearly two weeks after activists and protesters blocked City of Saskatoon crews from removing a homeless encampment at 20th Street West and Avenue K South, Mayor Cynthia Block has released a video statement.

In the nearly three-minute video, Block said she wanted to provide an update on the encampment while also addressing the cancellation of the volunteer portion of the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership’s Point-in-Time (PiT) homeless count, scheduled to take place Oct. 6.

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“Neighbours deserve to feel safe. People living in tents need somewhere safe to go, and both deserve action,” she said.

But the mayor did not say what that action would be, other than having members of the Saskatoon Fire Department reach out to those living in encampments, as they have been doing, to connect people with shelters, medical assistance and other services.

“Moving people doesn’t solve homelessness, but leaving people in unsafe encampments, especially as winter approaches, isn’t a solution either,” she continued.

The mayor added that providing portable toilets and garbage bins may ease some concerns, but that doesn’t address other safety issues, as noted by Saskatoon Deputy Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer on Sept. 23.

On Sept. 29, Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench Justice Richard Danyliuk denied an injunction that would have prevented the City of Saskatoon from clearing an encampment at Avenue K South and 20th Street West in Saskatoon.

Since then, the city has declined to share any additional information on whether the encampment will be dismantled or allowed to remain in its current location. The city has said it will continue to follow its established encampment response processes.

“Different people need different housing: affordable apartments, supportive housing or housing with intensive wraparound services.

“City staff, the province and community partners continue to visit the encampment every day to try to connect with people and ensure they have access to the appropriate services, and the province has committed to ensuring everyone has a safe place to sleep,” she added.

On the annual PiT count, Block said both the city and SHIP cancelled the outdoor portion of this year’s count because of safety concerns “related to protest activity.”

“Shelter and other service data will still be collected, and the fire department will help estimate encampment numbers,” said the mayor.

However, the mayor added that the city is committed to ensuring the 2027 PiT count goes ahead as planned. Block added that the city continues to work with the province to accelerate affordable housing options.