Saskatoon rally for the unhoused calls for action on forced displacement

A community rally took place outside Saskatoon’s City Hall on Saturday, advocating for changes in how the city and police handle homeless encampments. The situation has been exacerbated by ongoing interactions between residents of encampments and law enforcement, where individuals are forced to move or face tickets that can reach up to $10,000 in fines.

David Fineday, a 70-year-old man from Sweetgrass First Nation, has been homeless since he was 20 after leaving the child welfare system. Last year, he and 50 others were targeted by police, who attempted to demolish their camp during a meeting.

Fineday emphasized that the primary issue is the high cost of rent. He noted that while housing options exist in town, there is a lengthy waiting list, leading many people to remain homeless for months. Marissa Livedotte, a former Prairie Harm Reduction worker and advocate, pointed out that homelessness can affect anyone, even those with stable jobs.

She recounted her own experience of becoming unhoused for three months despite having a well-paying job, highlighting that the issue is more widespread than official statistics indicate. According to Livedotte, there may be around 3,000 unhoused people in Saskatoon, but the number of those experiencing hidden homelessness could be double that figure.

Fineday expressed hope that decision-makers would listen to their concerns. He emphasized the need for proper attention and understanding of the challenges faced by the unhoused population.