Encampment removal in Saskatoon ‘very sad,’ but necessary, advocate says

On Thursday, the City of Saskatoon removed an encampment located at 20th Street and Avenue K South, a decision that local outreach advocate Shirley Isbister of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. described as "very sad." The city cited safety concerns, including violence, alcohol, and drug use within the encampment. A total of 120 people evacuated the site, and 80 tents were dismantled.

Following the removal, many of the encampment's residents found shelter at the Saskatoon nonprofit, setting up close to the nearby railroad tracks. Isbister noted that CUMFI's Mobile Housing and Community Resource Centre Bus, equipped with Wi-Fi and housing assistance information, has also seen an increase in usage by previous encampment residents.

Melissa Zimmer, president and founder of Bridge City Warmth, a volunteer group distributing supplies to homeless individuals in Saskatoon, reported that their team had visited the encampment multiple times to provide assistance. Their efforts led to the identification of five people who received housing support following the removal of the encampment.

However, Zimmer acknowledged that there are numerous barriers to housing for those seeking it, citing the challenges faced by those who had already established encampments in the area.

With winter fast approaching, the nonprofit is calling for donations of blankets and jackets to help those who remain. In the days following the encampment's dismantling, volunteer groups and city patrols continued to provide support, including distributing meals and essential items to those who were left homeless.