Stabilization unit at the Lighthouse. Photo courtesy lighthousesaskatoon.org
Organizers of a rally in Saskatoon this weekend hope their efforts will help the government change its mind over funding cuts to the Lighthouse living centre.
Recently, the government announced funding would be cut to the facility’s 38-bed stabilization unit in what they say is an effort to reduce spending redundancies.
The march and rally against these funding cuts is expected early Saturday afternoon in front of the Lighthouse.
Organizer, Peter Garden, says he hopes the rally will convince the government to restore the funding.
“The units are really needed especially during this economic downturn where there is more need than there has been in previous years,” says Garden. “It’s a really bad time to be cutting.”
The stabilization units are used for people who are either intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and normally wouldn’t be accepted into other shelters. Garden says he believes the units help keep people off the streets.
“A lot of people end up sleeping in ATM shelters or outside, and with the weather starting to drop over the next couple months — that is a concern for people’s safety,” he says.
In addition to the rally, an online petition has been set up to urge the government to restore the funding.
Garden is asking those who attend this weekend’s rally to bring warm winter clothes to donate to the Lighthouse.