Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand is calling on city officials to act immediately to address Saskatoon’s homelessness crisis.

He says emergency shelters need to open now to prevent further tragedies during the winter months.

Arcand’s comments come as Saskatoon faces rising homelessness rates, with a recent city count identifying 1,500 people without permanent homes. The number, which nearly triples the rate of 2022, highlights what Arcand describes as an “emergency” that requires immediate attention.

“People are freezing out there. We can’t wait until tomorrow or next year to fix this,” Arcand said. “The city has the resources — it’s time to use them.”

Last week, city council approved $360,000 in unplanned renovations to the province’s temporary downtown shelter. The money is being pulled from the city’s capital reserve fund.

Saskatoon councillor Scott Ford said that it was a great way to address the city’s number one issue.

“It’s the start of actually getting some real movement in solving our homeless problem and helping those people,” he said.

While Arcand acknowledges the effort, he says it’s a small fix in the face of an overwhelming need.

“This is a Band-Aid, not a solution,” Arcand said.

City council also approved a new homelessness and encampment strategy last week, which includes plans for a 30-unit supportive housing complex and preliminary funding for a permanent shelter.

But Arcand criticized the timeline of the plan, arguing it doesn’t address the immediate risks faced by Saskatoon’s unhoused population this winter.

The chief said the temporary shelter is already stretched beyond its limits, and people are still sleeping outside in the cold.

“People are dying out there right now,” he said. “We need shelters today, not years from now.”

Arcand is urging the city to allocate more money from reserve funds to expand shelter space immediately, arguing the situation is life or death.

“If the city has rainy day funds, now is the time to use them,” he said.

Demand outweighs available services

Arcand said the Tribal Council’s Sawêyihtotân program, which provides housing support and outreach services, is struggling to keep up with demand as the number of unhoused people rises. The freezing temperatures this week have only added to the urgency.

“Our staff are doing everything they can, but we’re overwhelmed. We can’t do this alone,” he said.

Arcand also called on all levels of government to work together to tackle the systemic issues contributing to homelessness, including the lack of affordable housing and inadequate mental health and addiction services.

While he supports the city’s long-term plans, Arcand believes immediate measures, like opening additional emergency shelters, should be the priority this winter.

“This is about human lives,” he said. “We need everyone; city council, the province, community organizations, to step up and act now.”

WATCH | This homeless woman is spending her first winter on the streets in Saskatoon:

Arcand plans to speak at an upcoming city council meeting to continue pressing for faster action. He says the $360,000 renovation approval shows the city can access reserve funds when needed, but he wants to see more done to expand emergency support.

“We can’t let bureaucracy or delays stand in the way,” he said. “Every day we wait, lives are at risk.”

As Saskatoon enters the coldest months of the year, Arcand hopes his calls for immediate action will lead to concrete solutions that protect the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“This isn’t just about numbers or policies — it’s about saving people,” he said.