The Government of Saskatchewan has caused uncertainty regarding the fate of a shelter in downtown Moose Jaw by conflicting with an earlier relocation announcement made by Premier Scott Moe and Justice Minister Tim McLeod. During a press conference led by the province, Mayor James Murdock revealed that the Ministry of Social Services had instructed the 15-bed Willow Lodge shelter to be relocated from the city’s downtown area. Murdock emphasized the importance of the downtown core for the city’s operations and services, stating that the Ministry believed moving the shelter to a more suitable location would be beneficial.
Following Murdock’s announcement, Moe and McLeod addressed the issue without refuting Murdock’s statement, indicating the city’s request to collaborate with the Ministry to find an appropriate relocation site. However, later on, a government spokesperson issued a statement clarifying that the Ministry had not issued a directive for the shelter’s relocation but acknowledged ongoing discussions with community members to address concerns and meet community needs.
The news conference on Wednesday revealed that many, including Murdock, were caught off guard by the relocation news. When asked about a suitable shelter location, Mayor Murdock admitted he had just been informed of the decision that morning. McLeod confirmed receiving direct appeals to move the shelter out of downtown, highlighting the shelter’s establishment in early 2024 as part of the government’s initiative to tackle homelessness by setting up temporary shelters in collaboration with municipalities.
Despite the confusion surrounding the shelter’s future, the Premier emphasized that relocating the shelter would not diminish services but rather enhance them. Moe attributed the province’s involvement in the shelter business to the prevalence of harmful substances in local communities. The Willow Lodge shelter, operated by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, did not have a representative present at the news conference. Alex Carleton, chair of the Moose Jaw Downtown Association, expressed concerns about the livelihood of business owners and emphasized the town’s status as a tourist destination during the same news conference.
