April ChiefCalf - MLA for Saskatoon Westview

10/21/2026

10/08/2026

For immediate release: October 8, 2026

SASK. PARTY ABANDONING VULNERABLE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS OF SASKATOON

Scott Moe Has Not Lifted A Finger Amid Encampment Crisis That’s Gripped City

SASKATOON - As crews move to dismantle the large encampment at Avenue K and 20th Street in Saskatoon this morning, Carla Beck's team is again calling on the Sask. Party to take responsibility for the housing and homelessness crisis that has left people with nowhere else to go.

With winter approaching, the dismantling of the encampment raises urgent questions about where residents will go, whether they will have access to safe and appropriate shelter, and what happens when the community and support networks they have built are suddenly disrupted.

“Taking down tents does not end homelessness,” said April ChiefCalf, Housing Shadow Minister. “It moves people, and unless there is somewhere safe and appropriate for them to go, it does nothing to solve the crisis.

“People will die this winter because this provincial government refuses to act.”

Municipalities are left responding to encampments and navigating the difficult questions of public safety and displacement. Frontline organizations are working to connect people with food, health services, outreach and shelter, often while operating under significant resource constraints.

“Minister Terry Jensen needs to answer a basic question: where are people supposed to go?” said ChiefCalf. “It is not enough to point to a non-existent shelter bed or a warming station as shelter.

“People should not have to choose between sleeping outside in the cold and entering a shelter that does not meet their needs. And community organizations should not be expected to compensate for years of failure to provide enough housing and support.

“Minister Jenson has a responsibility to make sure our neighbours have somewhere safe to go this winter — a place where they can access services, maintain their connections, and begin moving toward permanent housing. We cannot wait for a tragedy to recognize the consequences of inaction.

“The measure of success is not how quickly we can dismantle an encampment. It is whether the people who lived there are safer, housed, and supported afterward. Clearly, we deserve better.”

10/06/2026

We cannot solve this crisis without getting to the root of the problem. I hear repeatedly from frontline organizations that eliminating direct payment of rent to landlords led to evictions. Once people are unhoused, it is very difficult to get them back into housing. The best way to prevent homelessness is to prevent eviction!

10/05/2026

Today, April ChiefCalf committed on behalf of Carla Beck-Leader of the Sask NDP to reversing the harmful Sask. Party changes to rent payments — one way or another.

As cities report record homelessness and an encampment crisis has gripped Saskatoon in recent weeks, our team is pledging immediate action to undo harmful changes imposed by the Sask. Party.

This fall, we intend to introduce legislation to scrap the terrible changes made by the government to income support and restore the direct payment of rent and utilities.

We’re giving Scott Moe a choice: Work with us and pass our legislation to help people houses now. If he refuses we will reverse these harmful changes when we form the next Saskatchewan NDP government.

Either way, we will get this done.

10/02/2026

Thank you to the amazing volunteers with Bridge City Warmth. Melissa, your team has stepped up, providing food, support and essentials to those who need some TLC. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Last night Bridge City Warmth fed people on the 20th Street corridor a lovely meal at Station 20 West. MLA Kim Breckner and I were honoured to join you and learn more about the services you provide. See you at the next BBQ!

10/01/2026

Yesterday I visited the encampment in the Heritage Neighbourhood in Regina. This poster was displayed on a pole in the park. The Ministry of Social services is providing a social worker for 5 hours per week over 2 weeks to assist people with applying for income support and housing. That’s great. Except there’s approximately 150 people currently living in the park. And they’ve been there for months already. And 20 people have already applied for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation units weeks ago and are still waiting. And winter is coming. And 150 people need help now. And there’s more encampments in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and other communities throughout our province. Our current provincial government needs to address the scale of the housing crisis in Saskatchewan and immediately invest in housing, mental health and addictions and adequate income supports. Time to step up!

10/01/2026