As of Tuesday night, both evening and overnight warming shelters were available in Saskatoon.

Fire Marshall Ryan Bradley says the evening warming centre is at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre on Wall Street and it is also the warming location for women overnight. The men’s overnight warming location will be St. Mary’s Parish on 20th Street, operated by the Salvation Army. It hasn’t opened yet, Bradley explains, because of a building issue. In the meantime, Prairie Harm Reduction has said, because of the need, they are staying open 24/7 for the next week.

The winter plan also includes overnight outreach services to be operated by Sawēyihtotān, from Saskatoon Tribal Council. They are outreach teams that meet Saskatoon’s most vulnerable on the street, in encampments, and living outdoors.

Total funding to operate the centres at St. Mary’s and the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship centre, and outreach until the end of March is estimated to be $1.2 million. That includes staffing, operations and utilities, program supplies, janitorial and facility maintenance. From donations and from contributions from the provincial, Indigenous and federal governments, $1 million is available. Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization, in partnership with community organizations, is asking for $200,000 from the City’s Reserve for Capital Expenditures to fill the funding gap.

Administration is also developing a new Saskatoon Homelessness Action Plan along with community partners, for a more comprehensive year-round approach which would include stable funding from both the federal and provincial governments.

Click here for the Cold Weather Warm-up Locations.