ON SCOTT MOE’S WATCH, ONE-IN-FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN SASKATOON ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 24

Sask. Party Balks At Action To Fight Child Poverty In Saskatchewan
SASKATOON – On the heels of a devastating report showing Saskatchewan has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada, a new study in Saskatoon has found that one-in-five homeless people in the city are under the age of 24.

The data comes from a closer analysis of the city’s annual Point-In-Time count conducted in October. It found that 428 people under the age of 24 total did not have a permanent place to call their home. Overall, the count of homeless people rose 30 per cent to more than 1,930.

“Scott Moe’s government doesn’t take seriously their job of caring for young people — our future leaders,” said Carla Beck, Saskatchewan NDP Leader. “When we questioned their lack of action on child poverty yesterday, Moe’s Finance Minister shrugged and pointed to an election victory from way back in 2024.

“Well, this is what happens when you ignore child poverty — you end up with young people out on the streets. These people deserve a government that’s got their backs, that will work relentlessly to help them get their lives back on track.

“It’s time for change.”

The annual point-in-time count found 219 children under the age of 12 and 209 young people between 13 and 24 living in Saskatoon without permanent shelter on a single night last October.

Saskatchewan people have continuously reported the highest financial anxiety in Canada and four-in-10 report borrowing money or stacking on debt just to pay for food.

“Young people in this province are losing hope,” said April ChiefCalf, Saskatchewan NDP Housing Shadow Minister. “Rent is unattainable and food costs are skyrocketing. They can’t get ahead — families need rent control, now.”

The Rent Control Act, introduced by ChiefCalf last fall, remains before the Legislature and could be passed in a matter of hours if the Sask. Party gets behind it.

As well, Carla Beck’s team is renewing their calls to give hardworking families much-needed cost of living relief by removing the Sask. Party taxes on clothing and groceries. The Official Opposition is also demanding an immediate, cruel halt to changes to Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) that will restrict available supports for people with disabilities.

“We need a government focused on everyday people, not padding the pockets of their political friends and insiders,” said Erika Ritchie, Saskatchewan NDP Social Services Shadow Minister.

“People relying on SAID and other income support programs have nowhere else to turn. If those programs are cut, they end up on the streets.

“Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are actively making life harder for vulnerable people during a cost-of-living crisis. This is a shameful excuse for leadership at such a critical time.”

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