Question Period (29 October 2026)

From Hansard (29 October 2026)

To view this section on video, click here and start play at 11:07:35 AM.

Addressing Homelessness

April ChiefCalf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to read a quote from Regina city councillor Victoria Flores. Her ward includes the encampment in Pepsi Park in Regina.

Six of us on council wrote to the province over 40 days ago asking for a winter solution. A month ago, the mayor sent them a plan for an indoor space. There were weeks to move people indoors safely. Instead, city and Social Services staff spent today scrambling to find people a bed for tonight. I don’t think everyone got one, and I’m deeply worried about anyone who did not. Front-line workers did everything they could. The decisions that left them scrambling were made at the political level.

Why has this entitled and out-of-touch government downloaded responsibility for homelessness onto municipalities? And what does the minister say to Councillor Flores?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to homelessness it’s an extremely complex issue. And it’s not one that just affects people here in Regina or people here in Saskatchewan, but it’s nationwide, Mr. Speaker.

What I will say is, we had ministry staff based across the street from Pepsi Park for a number of weeks, a couple of months trying to work with individuals in that encampment before it was taken down, Mr. Speaker. We are trying our absolute best working with individuals to get them shelter, to get them housed, to get them addressed, whether that’s for addictions treatment or otherwise, Mr. Speaker.

And I can tell you this; I can inform the House of this: anybody that requested shelter from the encampment was provided that shelter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---

Back to 2026/2027 Session