REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for Social Services, Housing and Human Rights Meara Conway wrote to Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky seeking clarity around the provincial government’s decision to cut funding to the Lighthouse in Saskatoon.
“There’s no question there are serious governance issues that have plagued the Lighthouse organization for some time,” said Conway. “What’s concerning is that this decision, announced on talk radio of all places, appears to have been made without consulting those organizations expected to pick up the slack.”
Following the announcement from Minister Makowsky, Lighthouse management have shared that the announcement came as a “surprise”. Similarly, the Saskatoon Tribal Council shared they had no clarity around the province’s expectations and that they currently do not have any capacity to take any additional clients.
“There’s more questions than answers around what these cuts mean for vulnerable people and those organizations supporting them in Saskatoon,” said Conway. “The Sask Party is using a crisis to again cut funding to struggling communities just as homelessness, mental health, and addiction are growing. Enough with the half-baked plans. We need to be increasing, not cutting supports for Saskatchewan people in need.”
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