Saskatoon rally calls for solutions for growing homeless population [Video]

David Fineday doesn’t want any more of his friends to die on Saskatoon streets this winter.

“I don’t want to lose any more people,” Fineday said, speaking into a megaphone in front of city hall.

Fineday led a rally of about 15 people on Wednesday afternoon, calling for solutions for the city’s most vulnerable.

Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest point-in-time count — nearly three times higher than the last count, conducted in 2022.

Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block attended the rally, answering questions from those in attendance.

The rally raised concerns about the lack of shelter beds.

Renovations are just getting underway at Saskatoon’s 40-bed emergency shelter on Pacific Avenue, which now won’t open until March.

Fineday asked Block about supplying hotel rooms for those who are homeless.

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