The Government of Saskatchewan has caused uncertainty regarding the fate of a downtown Moose Jaw shelter by conflicting with a relocation announcement previously confirmed by Premier Scott Moe and Justice Minister Tim McLeod. During a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor James Murdock revealed that the Ministry of Social Services had instructed the relocation of the 15-bed Willow Lodge shelter from the city’s downtown area. Murdock emphasized the importance of the downtown core for city operations and service enhancement, stating that the Ministry believed a permanent temporary shelter should be moved to a more suitable location.
Following Murdock’s announcement, Moe and McLeod spoke, neither refuting nor confirming the statement. McLeod mentioned the city’s request to collaborate with the Ministry to find an appropriate shelter location. However, hours later, a government spokesperson released a statement contradicting the directive to relocate the shelter, indicating ongoing discussions with the mayor and community members to address concerns and meet community needs.
The sudden relocation news surprised many at the press conference, including Murdock, who had just learned of the decision that morning. McLeod confirmed receiving requests from Moose Jaw North MLA and Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA to move the shelter out of downtown. The Willow Lodge shelter, established in early 2024 by the provincial government to tackle homelessness, operates under a program where municipalities identify locations while the province funds the spaces.
Shawn Fraser, CEO of the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, expressed surprise upon learning about the relocation decision, highlighting Moose Jaw’s homelessness issue and questioning the effectiveness of moving the shelter to a less accessible location. The news conference also featured Alex Carleton from the Moose Jaw Downtown Association, emphasizing concerns of business owners and the town’s tourism focus.
Premier Moe assured that the shelter relocation would not diminish but rather enhance services, attributing the province’s involvement in the shelter business to the prevalence of harmful substances in local communities. The situation remains fluid as discussions continue to address the future of the Willow Lodge shelter.
