Stats show the unhoused situation is getting worse across the country, and it’s also being noticed here at home.
The Meridian Source spoke with two prominent figures in the community to learn more about possible solutions.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers stressed that although the issue impacts citizens every day, there isn’t much they can do to combat it as a municipality.
“We often get asked to be the first line of defence, but we have the least resources because our taxes are not aimed at putting up shelters,” said Aalbers.
“In the same token, we’re working with the Men’s Shelter, Olive Tree and the Interval Home on a regular basis, trying to help them reach their goals of providing facilities and resources to help people who are on the street, or in the case of the Interval Home, have issues with assaulted women, battered women and children.”
According to the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, the unhoused population in Lloydminster is approximately 250.
Aalbers thinks it’s a social services issue Alberta and Saskatchewan need to help solve.
“What are we doing about homelessness? We are trying to coordinate with the provincial governments and say, ‘hey, do you realize we have this issue in our community?’ People are sleeping on the street, sleeping on park benches because they don’t have anywhere else to go,” said Aalbers.
Madeinca, a website designed to highlight Canadian businesses and products, estimates homelessness impacts the national economy to the tune of over $7 billion a year, with up to 300,000 unhoused across the nation.
Saskatchewan Party MLA Colleen Young understands there is no easy answer, adding the province has decided to invest in recovery.
“We are focused on recovery and trying our best to create spaces and services that will get people into recovery,” said Young. “Every drug out there is poison. It is not just a drug, it is a poison trying to kill people.”
A problem not unique to Lloydminster, British Columbia is currently feeling the impact first hand.
“We have a big challenge here, and we know it’s growing,” said Young. “I get to hear about it from folks that are frustrated with the crime, the stealing, the break and enters, the people on the street.”
“There is no easy solution.”
The Government of Canada is providing $2.2 billion over the next 10 years to help combat the issue, and provinces are also looking for ways to solve it.
Residents are encouraged to contact their local politicians directly with concerns.
Read More: New shelter’s plan for the unhoused
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