Regina Executive Committee has passed the purchase of a new building for a low-barrier homeless shelter in Regina.

The site is at 1600 Halifax Street, the current location of The Regina Eagles Club.

This location was identified by administration out of 72 possible sites and recommended to executive committee.

“I can think of no neighbourhood that would universally welcome a shelter in their area,” City Manager Niki Anderson told committee members. “There is no location where everyone would agree this is the right location.”

The shelter will be owned by the city but operated by Regina Treaty Status/Indian Services (RTSIS) through funding from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) and federal government.

The project has the backing of $7.5 million in investment from all three levels of government, including $3 million from the SHC, in addition to the allocation of $1.5 million from the city’s social development reserve.

The Eagles say they were notified by neighbouring property owners of the city’s wanting to purchase their building.

Club Secretary Bill Gray says the club has over 640 members and employs 16 people.

They raise money for and donate to several local charities and causes every year.

“We are people who help people,” Gray said. “So we have a conundrum.”

Their current lease with the property owner is set to expire Nov. 30, 2024.

“Being who we are, we can’t not support a shelter for the homeless,” Gray added. “We can wholeheartedly support a home for us.”

Business Concerns

Several delegates spoke at committee Wednesday to voice their concerns.

The majority were business owners in the area who were opposed to the location proposed by administration.

Fella & Fetch is located across the street from the site.

“I acknowledge the need for permanent housing to address homelessness,” Manager Miranda Michell said. “However, the proposal raises significant concerns that could undermine the long-term success of this initiative.”

Michell, along with many of the other business owners, had concerns surrounding community safety.

“There is no clear strategy of how my safety will be brought to the forefront through this planning,” she said.

Town & Country Plumbing Owner Daniel Turgeon said he and the other businesses have not been consulted.

“I don’t feel the proper due process has been in place,” he said. “We all acknowledge the space is needed but how do we just implant it into somebody else’s world?”

Turgeon went on to say he already feels the impact of rising crime rates and believes it may get worse.

“I’m concerned [council] is unaware of what costs it may bring to the area that is current struggling,” he said.

“I understand the concerns and fears of businesses,” Mayor Sandra Masters told reporters following Wednesday’s meeting. “We have more work to do.”

“The process is truncated and I completely appreciate it when there’s three or four days to prepare,” she added.

First meeting since Mayor race bid

Wednesday’s meeting was the first since Ward 4 coun. Lori Bresciani announced she would run for mayor against incumbent Sandra Masters.

Bresciani was quite vocal throughout the meeting and heavily questioned administration about the concerns voiced.

“There is some responsibility that needs to be done with the community,” she told administration. “There’s a lot of unanswered questions about what administration or RTSIS is planning.”

Ward 7 coun. Terina Nelson echoed some concerns.

“These businesses employ people who contribute to society,” she said. “We’re going to put this much money at risk for 55 people?”

“What if those 55 people are on the streets,” Masters said. “What is that cost?”

“It’s a tough decision because, you know, the concerns are very real and the circumstances around shelters are real,” she added. “We have to step up our game to address those.”

Coun. Andrew Stevens sympathized with the delegates but disagreed with their concerns.

“I’ve spent a third of my time as a councillor dealing with houselessness,” he explained. “But it’s not from shelters, it’s from tents and encampments everywhere.”

Some delegates wished the city would provide compensation in the possibility of added maintenance or insurance costs.

“You want us to put a price on poverty and on social issues,” Stevens responded.

Administration says further engagement would occur after the location was approved in order to ensure the shelter’s rollout was collaborative.

“We were sent out to go and find a location meeting certain criteria,” Anderson said. “That is what we focused on.”

Bresciani attempted to table the motion but a vote defeated the idea.

What’s next?

The purchase of the shelter space still requires council approval.

In the meantime, administration will work to address the numerous concerns raised at the meting.

The project has the backing of $7.5 million in investment from all three levels of government, including $3 million from the SHC, in addition to the allocation of $1.5 million from the city’s social development reserve.

The lease on a current temporary shelter space will be up in July of 2025.

“[There] is a contractual obligation through an offer to purchase,” Masters said. “And so [we’re] committed to consultation and continually doing it after whatever happens next Wednesday.”

City council is set to address the new proposed location on Sept. 25. If approved, it is expected the new location will be operational when the current space’s lease expires.

A tornado warning is in place for parts of southeast Saskatchewan on Wednesday evening.

According to an update from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) around 4:53 p.m., meteorologists were tracking a severe thunderstorm around the R.M. of Silverwood south of Whitewood.

Around 5:47 p.m., the tornado warning was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm watch.

However, around 6:13 p.m., a tornado warning was put in place for the R.M. of Willowdale, and the R.M. of Grayson. 

The weather agency said storm spotters reported the storm has a funnel cloud that may be reaching the ground and advised people to take cover right away if threatening weather approaches.

People were advised to go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, ECCC said.

A tornado warning is issued when thunderstorms are likely to produce tornadoes.

An ongoing investigation into drug trafficking has resulted in the seizure of cocaine in Yorkton, according to RCMP.

Sept. 12 saw officers with Yorkton’s Trafficking Response Team execute a search warrant at a home on Dalebrooke Drive in the city.

Police arrested a man outside the residence and a woman inside the home during the operation.

The team seized approximately $17,000 in cash and quantities of crack and powdered cocaine during the operation.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, a 39-year-old man and 40-year-old woman have each been charged with one count of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The pair made their first appearance in court on Sept. 13.

The Government of Saskatchewan has said it will not accept asylum seekers under a recent federal proposal to relocate them across Canada.

Currently, the majority of the 235,000 are in Ontario and Quebec – but the two provinces are having difficulty coping with the large number.

Ottawa wants all provinces to accept a share but a growing number of provinces are resisting.

Saskatchewan is one of them.

No, I mean what we have said all the way along is that regular and lawful immigration is something that we are open to and beyond open to,” Trade and Economic Development Minister Jeremy Harrison.

“Thats something that weve encouraged and I think has been a great benefit to the province. Thats what we want to continue on that path.

Saskatchewans share under the federal proposal would be about 7,000 people. The asylum seekers are primarily from Mexico, India and Nigeria.

I would be concerned. Im not sure that the public are fully supportive of those who perhaps have claimed asylum on some spurious grounds,” Harrison added.

A growing list of provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are taking issue with the idea.

Its not fair to the asylum seekers to move them around the country into areas that are not able to manage, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said.

Ottawa says there are levers that it could use with the provinces. Saskatchewan says its willing to talk but believes Ottawa should not attempt to solve its problems on the backs of provinces.

Fraudulent phone calls targeting older people are circulating the Pilot Butte, Sask. area, RCMP said.

Police received three reports of alleged scam calls on Tuesday, where a caller tells people their grandchild or loved one is in legal trouble, according to a release from Sask. RCMP.

The caller, who is reported to be a man, falsely replicates the family member, then instructs the victim to place cash on their front doorstep to pay for legal fees, RCMP said.

The money is then picked up by a woman, who is described as being in her 20’s, with long, straight black hair, RCMP said. She was see wearing sunglasses and a medical mask, and has gone by the name “Elaine Harrison.”

RCMP is warning people to hang up right away if they get a similar call, and to not provide any personal information.

Police said if anyone has information about suspicious activity around 2nd Street, 3rd Street, or 4th Avenue in Pilot Butte on Sept. 17 to contact them or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

Similar scams, often referred to as the grandparent scam, have been taking place around the province, including Moose Jaw.

A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.

On Sept. 5, a 15-year-old girl was doused in a flammable substance and lit on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate.

She was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital and is suffering from serious injuries, according to police.

A teacher who tried to put out the flames and help the student was also injured.

The 14-year-old was charged with attempted murder, arson and aggravated assault.

The teen is now facing a fourth charge — unlawfully causing bodily harm — related to the teacher.

Crown Prosecutor Ainsley Furlonger read out the new charge during the teens third court appearance on Wednesday.

The girls name cant be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. A publication ban is also in effect on the teen victim and teacher.

The accused is currently in custody. Her attendance was waived so she wasnt present in court.

The matter is adjourned to Sept. 26.

A new financial literacy course is now a requirement to graduate in Saskatchewan.

Grade 10 students are now being offered the new course, dubbed “Financial Literacy 10.”

According to the province, the course will help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to make responsible financial decisions and contribute to the “long-term economic growth of Saskatchewan.”

“By teaching students the basics of financial literacy and financial responsibility through quality education, we are preparing the best possible outcomes for our students, in both their personal and professional lives, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a news release.

The Ministry of Education is currently asking teachers to provide feedback on the new course with a goal of having it finalized by January of 2026. 

Teachers will be provided information on the new course through what the province said are development sessions.

The Ministry of Education, Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (Sask DLC), the Saskatchewan Industry Education Council as well as the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) will all be in collaboration to get the new course of the ground, the province said.

Financial literacy will create a lasting effect on our students financial stability and independence, Cockrill added in the release.

Those in downtown and North Central Regina will see an increased police presence on Wednesday as the Regina Police Service (RPS) continues a community outreach initiative.

Officers will prioritize interacting with residents and business owners to foster open communication, according to a news release from the RPS.

The goal of the initiative is to create a safer community and build stronger relationships, police said.

The project, called ‘Progressive Policing Initiative : Engagement and Enforcement,’ began in July following the results from a community perceptions survey.

The survey highlighted a need for increased police presence and a need to officers focus on issues like drugs and alcohol.

Results from the most recent initiative will be shared later on, police said.

Notice of Broadcast Disruption – July 3, 2024

On July 3, 2024, at 10:49 PM, Broadcast Center 01 experienced a power outage due to a passing thunderstorm. To safeguard our equipment from potential power surges, we decided to temporarily suspend our broadcasts. This interruption affected Z103.5, 979 The Cowboy, and 101 The Rockhound.

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