Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3

A husband and father with 30 years as an IT & Management Consultant with a variety of great career and life experiences!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@PropositoyVida While not the smartest move and the Police clearly failed to contain the area, tackling the guy with a force of police just makes the police look more idiotic than the guy emptying the backpack.

I hope the guy was okay as being tackled on concrete by 3 other guys had to hurt!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@FiftyFootNest You do realize Federal funding to your community is determined in part by the census return?

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

Today we celebrate the courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit of the Filipino people. On this special day, let us take pride in the rich culture, beauty, and unity of the Philippines and the contribution they make to our communities.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

What a great townhall last night in Ward 3! We had the Hon. Terry Jensen, Minister of Social Services, along with Chief McBride of the SPS and Chief Wegren of the SFS. Everyone slated to speak got to state their concerns and ask their questions, and while there were no concrete promises could be made, it ws clear that the community and businesses were heard.

This Townhall was needed 3.5 years ago and Minsiters rarely do townhalls, so a huge thank you to the Minister and his staff for working with me in binging this townhall to Ward 3, and I look forward to working with the Mnister and his staff in resolving the issues we continue to experience with the shelter in Fairhaven!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@SimonCouverqa @WSOnlineNews If you understood our Constitution and the steps necessary for a province to separate, you would understand that is exactly part of the process

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@SKnana Such a breach of public trust should be met with forfeiture of all assets and a harsh prison sentence

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@SKnana Nunavut's population is just under 42k, and they're going to add 125k jobs?

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@CKOMNews All the lab techs have been without a contract for over 4 years creating low morale, more sick and stress leave, etc.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

As I'm starting to research my summer project and reviewing some limited data available to me to prepare a proposal to the Province on how to poentially reduce homelessness, I was examining Onatrio's recent Bill 28 which is titled "Endiing Homelessness".
As I love the audacity to make that the goal and essentially declare homelessness a crisis, I wondered if Saskatchewan should follow Ontario’s lead in declaring a crisis or emergency, and so I'm reviewing the data involved and wanted to share some findings.
To start, while Ontario has a much larger total number of homeless individuals, Saskatchewan’s situation is often more severe when measured by rate per capita, demographic intensity, and climatic risk.
The Numbers: Ontario vs. Saskatchewan
Est.Homeless Pop. ON: 30k – 35k SK: 3,500 – 4k
Rate per 10,000 people: ON: 23 SK:32
Indigenous Representation: ON: 10–15% SK: 80%+
Chronic Homelessness %: ON: High SK: Very High
Climatic Concern: ON: moderate SK: Extreme - Life Threatening
Some Key Considerations:
Per Capita Severity: Though Ontario has more people, a resident of Saskatoon is statistically more likely to encounter or experience homelessness than a resident of many Ontario cities.
Jurisdictional Gridlock - Currently, the City of Saskatoon and the Provincial Government frequently clash over who is responsible for shelters (e.g., the recent friction over the Fairhaven shelter and downtown locations). A provincial crisis declaration forces different ministries (Health, Social Services, Justice) to break down "silos", and allow the province to work more effectively to fulfill their responsibilities to address the crisis.
The "SIS" Factor: Saskatchewan's change from the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) to the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program in 2021 which changed how rent is paid to landlords, is cited by Saskatoon frontline agencies as a direct driver of increased evictions. Ontario’s system (ODSP/OW) is also underfunded, but the specific policy shift in SK created a unique "inflow" surge that actually manufactured more homelessness.
So, should Saskatchewan declare a formal crisis/emergency as proposed in Ontario’s Bill 28? The evidence suggests yes, for three primary reasons:
1. The "Death by Cold" Reality - In Ontario, an emergency declaration is a tool for housing policy. In Saskatchewan, it is a tool for survival. Saskatoon experiences temperatures of -40°C. At these temperatures, being unsheltered is not just a "hardship", but a potentilly lethal condition.
If a flood or a fire threatened 500 people with death in 24 hours, the province would declare an emergency. Saskatchewan winters present that exact threat to the homeless population every year. A declaration would mandate the immediate opening of public buildings (armouries, schools, arenas) as warming centers without the usual red tape.
2. Jurisdictional Gridlock - Currently, the City of Saskatoon and the Provincial Government frequently clash over who is responsible for shelters (e.g., the recent friction over the Fairhaven shelter and downtown locations). A provincial crisis declaration forces different ministries (Health, Social Services, Justice) to break down "silos", and prioritize resources to ensuring people have the necessary opportunities to improve their lives.
3. Moral and Political Accountability - Saskatchewan’s homelessness is highly visible in Saskatoon. Declaring a crisis moves the issue from a "Social Services budget line" to a "Provincial Priority." It signals to Indigenous nations (FSIN, MN-S) that the province acknowledges the disproportionate impact on their people.
While there are many benefits, there are also reasons the Saskatchewan government has been hesitant:
Fiscal Liability: A declaration may create a legal expectation that the province must provide a bed for everyone, potentially opening the door to lawsuits (similar to those seen in Ontario and BC) if people are still on the street.
Economic Perception: The province is focused on "Saskatchewan Growth." A crisis declaration can be seen by some as a "negative brand" for attracting investment and workers to Saskatoon.
Precedent: The government may fear that if they declare a crisis for homelessness, they will be pressured to do so for the overdose crisis or the healthcare staffing shortage.
So, should Saskatchen declare homelessnes a crisis? I think it should, but it should be a "Saskatchewan-Specific" Declaration. Unlike Ontario’s Bill 28, which is broad, a Saskatchewan declaration should be framed as a "Public Health and Safety Emergency", and should specifically enable:
Direct Rent Payment Options: Immediately allowing the Ministry of Social Services to pay landlords directly for all SIS clients at risk of homelessness (reversing the policy that spiked evictions). In addition, SIS should be increased to a livable amount, and have reasonable accountability measures to ensure funds are used appropriately.
Emergency Shelter Mandate: Requiring all provincial municipalities to have a "Cold Weather Trigger" where appropriate public spaces must open when temperatures hit -20°C. The funding and support for this program needs to come from the Province as municipalities lack the resources to do so.
Expedited Housing: Bypassing standard procurement to allow the necessary transitional, supportive and affordable housing to be built or converted from current abandoned or derelict properties and making such an investment a priority in conjuction with munipalities prioritizing zoning and and permits could allow such development to happen in weeks rather than years.
Proper Support Services: Housing people and providing safe spaces to live is just the beginning. To ensure people hve what they need to become self dependant, appropriate programs and services are needed to properly end the crisis and help ensure it doesn't happen again.
While Ontario is fighting a crisis of market scale (too many people, too little land, astronomical prices), Saskatchewan is fighting a crisis of systemic failure and climate (policy-driven evictions, extreme cold, and untreated mentalillness, addictions and trauma).
Because the risk of immediate death is higher in a Saskatchewan winter than Ontario, along with the other significnt anf growing issues in our province, the argument for an emergency declaration in Saskatchewan is actually stronger than the argument in Ontario.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@Dave_Eby This kind of response just feeds the separation sentiment. Good leaders look to understand perspectives, build bridges and use diplomacy to find win-win solutions. I think you can do better David!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

For the past year and a half, I’ve been doing a lot of listening. From community meetings, business groups, emails, privatemessages on social media and even conversations at the grocery store. There’s a common thread running through it all: people care deeply about Saskatoon, but many are feeling sick and tired of where we are right now.

We’re growing, and growth can be wonderful, but it also puts pressure on the systems we rely on every day. Housing is in short supply, especially for those on a limited income, infrastructure is aging faster than we can comfortably maintain, and for too many people, the cost of living is outpacing their sense of stability.

But the biggest issue I hear about is the very real concern about safety and wellbeing in our own community. I know it too well from my own lived experince in Fairhaven and our home roughly 300 meters from a 106 bed shelter. Crime stats are not reflective of the lived reality for many citizens, especially on the west side and while we should be reporting everything, people don't see the value and know nothing will come of it.

These are not simple issues. There are no slogans, and there certainly should be no political rhetoric about it. They require a greater coordinated investment and involvement from the Province, across city departments, with community organizations, and with residents themselves.

But here’s what I never want to lose sight of: Saskatoon is still a city with strong fundamentals. We have engaged citizens, resilient local businesses, and a community spirit that shows up when it matters most. I see it every week in Ward 3, and I greatly apprecite you all for the effort you put into making our community better.

The challenge in front of us isn’t just to fix the plethora of things not working; it’s to make thoughtful choices about what kind of city we want to be five, ten, twenty years from now. That means being realistic about our budget, being transparent about trade-offs, and being willing to have difficult conversations without turning on each other. We don't have to think alike, but we'll get much further when we think together.

In the days to come, all I ask is you staying engaged, ask questions, report crimes, and hold City Council and the Province accountable because that’s how you can help make Saskatoon better!

Have a great day everyone!

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@PrairieVeteran I've got a huge stack of them

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

@jkenney I agree we should all fill it out, but we shouldn't ignore the real reason why more and more people don't want to fill it out. There is a growing mistrust in our government at all levels and people are reaching a breaking point of resorting to civil unrest.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

Alberta is being watched closely by Saskatchewan and many in the nation. Some out of curiosity, some out of fear. Kenney does have a point in that eastern Canada will ensure negotiations lead to nowhere. The deck is legally and politically stacked against Alberta or any province that wants to separate because you can win the referendum, but negotiating the way out and having it pass in the HOC will be intentionally fruitless.

The real question is will people want to separate so badly they take up arms and start a civil unrest to accomplish it? My family left Montreal because of the FLQ crisis after a family friend was seriously injured. In that light, I'd hate for anyone to live through that scenario just because the government becomes so unreasonable others have to become unreasonable to accomplish reasonable things.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

"When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." Atributed to Thomas Jefferson

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

I know I wanto see addicts get all the opportunities for help in reasonable ways and I'm certain most people want that as well. But I know in our community in Saskatoon with a 106 bed shelter for the past 3.5 years, the vast amount of people trying to make good life decisions are exhausted of having people making consistent bad life decisions ruin their community and violate their section 7 Charter rights to life, liberty, and safety of the person.

We are in a national crisis. We need to get serious on housing and treatment solutions, and develop sound plans on how to reduce homelessness and addictions proactively instead of just throwing millions of dollars each year at shelters, safe injection sites, etc. and expecting the problem to somehow resolve itself.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

I served with many women throughout my time and that was back in the late eighties and nineties. I'd even argue today it's the least restrictive it's ever been as the CDS is a female. I'd also add 3 years of reserve service as a minimum would be easy to do and perhaps even enhance civilian career objectives depending on the training.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

Yesterday at Council was definitely interesting. I'll start by providing an update on the debate that occurred regarding the First Avenue BRT concept plan. There were a number of presentations along with many questions and concerns, but it became evident that several Councillors wanted more information before making their decision. To that end I made a deferral motion that essentially ensured there was more collaboration with affected stakeholders, and for an operations plan that would address the numerous concerns with the concept.
I asked how long it would take administration to provide the information and the response was a detailed operations plan was required and it would take a year, implying an excessive delay to our deadline. It should be noted that Saskatoon's deadline to implement the BRT by 2028 is self imposed. The Federal funding is actually available until 2032, and keep in mind the City itself will be paying roughly 27% of the costs involved. As such, I think it is entirely reasonable to have the delay to ensure we make the right decision.
Council defeated my deferral motion, so the next step was to then vote on the concept plan itself and as I was not alone in wanting more information, it was also defeated. In the end, Council voted to have administration share the plan with the Accessability Advisory Committee (this was in my deferral motion), and provide an overview operations plan to address the critical issues and concerns with the concept (which was also essentially in my motion). Once that plan comes back to Council, we can then consider how to proceed.
I also want to add that we had a report on our City's Homelessness Response. The report was well done but it also highlighted to me a major concern. From 2024 to 2027, the City will have spent over $15M on our Homelessness response. To be clear, the Homeless need all the support and opportunities to improve their lives and more needs to be done. The Feds and the Province have also spend money on this, but there is a more critical core issue at stake.
Municipalities do not have the resources nor the revenue streams to address complex issues like social services. While the Province has all the responsibilities for this area of concern, they also have multiple revenue streams to address it. Saskatoon essentially has property taxes, and it's based on a reassessment program that is essentially broken and unsustainable.
Add to this, we are a hub city and we have people from all over the Province making their way here for various reasons, including more and more of those who are homeless, forcing our city to address escalating issues that are also reaching a breaking point.
And then added to this is the Province has no actual plan to reduce homelessness. What they have is an annual consideration to fund shelters and some supportive living, but there are no baselines, no targets, no accountability measures, no aggredated data, etc. The longer this continues without a reduction strategy, the worse it is going to get and more it is going to cost, and the Province is not reimbursing the City's expenses.
What is needed is a coordinated Provincial plan that has actual targets for reduction, significant investment for transitional, supportive and affordable housing, expanded long term addictions and complex needs treatment, expanded policing and social programs that address the real needs of those who are vulnerable and need help.
This is definitely possible. We already have success models with responsible service providers, including numerous indigednous organizations, that could be expanded with the right investments. This will also provide the opportunities to reduce temporary shelter beds that are cosing us millions and reallocate that funding to replicating successes that promote opportunities for people to improve their lives. I'll hopefully have more to share in the near future regarding ideas on how this could be done.

[Robert Pearce - YXE Ward 3 @RevRobYXE]

Last night I attended the information session regarding the new treatment center that will be located in the Oshun House building beside the Hugh Cairns Armoury in Idywyld North. As the building is already zoned M3, this useage of the building is permitted.
It was an enlightening evening as a number of social wrokers, addictions counsellors and others who work in that space in Saskatoon asked many pointed questions about the operation, the qualifications of the employees, etc.
Suffice to say, I had some questions and concerns, and I'll just list the basic points I found out:
- 30 bed residence for those with mild to moderate detox needs, and residents are required to stay onsite, sober, and pursuing their treatment and open to all Saskatchewan residents
- Staffing is nursing staff 24/7, doctors on call, clinical counsellors,
- Not a part of the Compassionate Care Act treatment so not a secure site, uses Community as a method of security with "clear expectations, consistent routines, staff presence and peer accountability"
- Programs are 4-8 weeks, and fully funded by the Province
- No priority for Saskatoon residents, and serious concerns were raised to ensure visiting patients from other communities must be required to return to their communities instead of being allowed to stay in Saskatoon and potentially add to the issues
- It appears EHN had no idea a enhanced shelter was opening just behind them, so apparently no collaborative discussions or policy development with the Province, the Mustard Seed (who will operate the shelter once it's built) and EHN
There will be another online information session April 29th 2pm-3:30pm on Microsoft Teams if you want to attend and ask questions.