The Government of Saskatchewan has announced official Cold Weather Strategies for Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert, while all other communities should contact Income Assistance or their local RCMP detachment during extreme weather.
"Cold weather strategies effectively coordinate community services and resources so everyone in need of shelter has a safe, warm place to stay and access to services," said Gene Makowsky, provincial minister of social services.
"The Ministry of Social Services will continue to work with partners across the province to ensure services and supports, including shelter spaces, are available throughout the province this winter."
The Ministry of Social Services (MSS) co-ordinates with community partners to confirm the availability of shelter spaces, food, and other supports such as warm winter clothing.
"Community partners drive cold weather strategies to tailor the approach to best meet the needs in the community," the MSS said in their Nov. 1 release.
How to Access Help
The provincial government said that anyone who needs a safe place to stay can contact their local Income Assistance Service Centre for help Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For after hours and weekend support:
- In Regina, contact Mobile Crisis Services;
- In Saskatoon, contact the Salvation Army;
- In Prince Albert, contact Mobile Crisis Services; and
- In all other communities, contact your local RCMP detachment.
If you see someone who is in crisis, or who may be at risk of exposure, please call 911.
Cold weather strategies are implemented each winter. As announced in early October, the province is attempting to work with community partners to invest $14.1 million to create 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces in communities across the province.
That investment should include Moose Jaw, although no concrete announcement has yet been made.
Accessing help in Moose Jaw
In response to a request for extreme cold weather options for people in Moose Jaw, specifically, the MSS issued the following statement by email:
"While the City of Moose Jaw does not have an official cold weather strategy, services are available in the community to ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to warm, safe shelter and supports during cold weather.
"Anyone who needs a safe place to stay in Moose Jaw can contact the Moose Jaw Income Assistance Service Centre at 90-1235 Main Street North for help Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. For after hours and weekend support, they should connect with their local RCMP detachment to be connected to services. As a reminder to the general public, if you see someone who is in crisis, or may be at risk of exposure, please call 911."
The Moose Jaw RCMP detachment is at 240 Saskatchewan St E — the phone number is (306) 691-4670.
The City of Moose Jaw does have an unofficial Extreme Weather and Food Strategy, which is compiled, co-ordinated, and regularly updated by Community Square One, Inc. Square One's resource list includes every option the city has for warm-up spaces, emergency overnight shelters, and emergency food sources.
The Square One resource is accessible at www.squareonehousingmoosejaw.com/extremeweather-mealofferings.
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