Watch above: After a 42-year-old homeless man was found dead inside an abandoned semi-trailer, Saskatoon shelters are stressing there is always availability and no one should be left out in the cold. Aaron Streck reports.
SASKATOON – After a 42-year-old man was found dead inside the cab of an abandoned semi-trailer on the weekend, Saskatoon shelters are stressing there is always availability and no one should be left out in the cold.
During question period at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Monday, Opposition leader Cam Broten called for a formal inquest into the death of the man, whose relatives said he became homeless after being cut off by social services.
“There was times when I had to stay up all night and sit at Tim Hortons,” said Harry McLeod.
Over the last five years, McLeod has slept on the streets in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatoon.
The 38-year-old has braved his fair share of frigid nights.
“It’s very difficult to find blankets and just to stay warm trying to get out of the wind, the snow,” said McLeod.
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Since May, McLeod has been staying at The Lighthouse on 2nd Avenue.
“Abandoned buildings, under bridges, in dumpsters, those just don’t work with the type of extreme temperatures we have in Saskatchewan,” said DeeAnn Mercier with The Lighthouse Supported Living.
In 2012, there were 379 homeless people in Saskatoon, with 76 of those sleeping on the streets.
“It’s not OK for anybody in Saskatoon to pass away as a result of homelessness,” said Myra Potter, interim CEO of the United Way Saskatoon.
Since fall 2007, the number of emergency shelter spaces in the province has nearly doubled, according to Social Services.
“As we work hard around the plan to end homelessness and our housing first program and certainly with many community partners around the cold weather strategy, I think this really points to the importance of the work we’re doing and the importance of the work we’re doing,” said Potter.
“There’s always room here at the Lighthouse and we try to have a no refusal policy as much as possible, we always are available to expand where people are sleeping or fit in just one more,” said Mercier.
There were 2,000 stays at The Lighthouse in October and that number is expected to increase as the mercury drops; so too are the calls for its mobile outreach.
“I’ve seen people lose fingers, lose toes, lose legs, lose limbs due to frost bite, due to cold incidences,” said Mercier.
“At night time, when it gets really cold people get tired and especially a lot of people that drink they want to pass out and might never wake up.”
McLeod struggles with addiction and is hoping he never has to sleep on the street again as he tries to get his life back on track.
For after-hours emergency service in Saskatoon, the Salvation Army at 306-242-6833 and The LightHouse at 306-653-0538 are available to help individuals find the help they require.
During the daytime, those in need can drop in to the Saskatoon Service Centre at 160 2nd Avenue South.
The ministry says if someone is in immediate danger, call 911 to ensure a person in need receives help.
In a given year, there are 235,000 homeless people in Canada.
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