The NDP is calling on the Sask. Party government to reverse its decision to move essential Child and Family Programs staff out of St. Thomas Wesley United Church and relocate them downtown. The important services provided by these staff are vital to the community, and to move them against the community’s wishes is short-sighted.
“The church members, community, and all who benefit from the programs provided at St. Thomas Wesley have spoken out against this move, but the government hasn’t listened,” said NDP Social Services Critic Nicole Rancourt. “St. Thomas Wesley is an ideal location. It’s close to other services, such as the Friendship Inn, White Buffalo Youth Lodge and Station 20 West, and it’s close to the community it seeks to serve. To move Child and Family Programs out of the community is a step in the wrong direction when it comes to making essential services accessible. Especially after this government’s harmful cut to the Rental Housing Supplement, this will only further hurt our most vulnerable.”
Members of St. Thomas Wesley have said this decision will make accessing these services more challenging, and will put undue stress on families already at high risk.
“Yet again, the Sask. Party government’s short-sighted thinking is hurting Saskatchewan people,” said NDP Saskatoon Centre MLA, David Forbes. “Having these services in the community is so beneficial, not only to those who use the programs, but to our entire community. We need to see the staff stay at St. Thomas Wesley. Possible short-term cost savings should not outweigh human care, especially when they’re likely to result in greater spending down the road.”