A major topic of Herb Sutton’s monthly report to North Battleford city council that was presented at Monday’s council meeting was an update of the activities of the Safety, Acceptance, Guidance, Empowerment group.
He spoke with enthusiasm about SAGE’s phase two proposal that has been completed and has been sent to Public Safety Canada.
“We feel with our SAGE group that we are finished our phase one work,” said Sutton.
The preparatory work and capacity building to enhance community engagement has been completed, and Sutton said phase two will focus on the “broader issues.”
The phase two proposal includes three major goals. One would be a regional steering committee, which would include four levels of government: federal, provincial, municipal and First Nation.
It’s a recognition that the problems with respect to public safety are of a regional nature, Sutton said.
The second goal as part of the proposal is developing formalized neighbourhoods, and the third is further developing an aboriginal engagement plan, which Sutton said should fit in well with their steering committee.
A lot of the time spent putting the proposal together included going back through the SAGE model and it was felt that by closely aligning their proposal with that model, there was a better chance of getting funding and being successful with their proposal.
“It’s closely aligned with federal policy direction and provincial policy direction,” said Sutton. He added that in one conversation with a federal government representative the feedback was that their proposal was “bang-on”— exactly what the government was looking for in an application.
Sutton said he was told that if the money cannot be found under Public Safety Canada, they will help find other ministries that have some resources.
The money asked for is $252,064.64 from the federal government; the total project cost is $380,000. The City contribution includes many in-kind costs and those have already been in place for the SAGE group.
On the issue of housing security and homelessness, Sutton talked about The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords and highlighted the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser event. That event is to be held Feb. 25, and Sutton noted there was a big need for volunteers and assistance to help with that event.
Some new programming is also being explored there, Sutton indicated, including mobile outreach with a van and staff, as well as a managed alcohol program.
Another item is a proposal for a 12-room “rooming house model” going to Sask. Housing Corporation. This differs from The Lighthouse because it would be longer-term, sustainable housing and it differs from transitional housing because those involved require 24/7 supervision.
