The Saskatchewan Party is in full damage control mode after two local homeless men were provided bus ticket's to go to British Columbia by Saskatchewan Social Services.
The two men had been staying at The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords, but Social Services had denied funding that would have allowed them to continue to stay there.
Instead, the Star-Phoenix broke the story that Jeremy Roy and Charles Neil Curly were given $500 one-way Greyhound bus tickets to Vancouver, provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services.
On Tuesday they departed the North Battleford bus station for British Columbia, and arrived safely in Vancouver on Wednesday.
They were greeted upon their arrival by a horde of media awaiting their arrival, in response to political outrage in B.C. over the lack of compassion shown by Saskatchewan in dealing with their situation.
Upon their arrival in Vancouver, the two individuals were promptly taken in by Union Gospel Mission, who reported on Twitter they provided beds for the individuals at their shelter.
Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer issued a statement on Thursday on the issue. She pledged to review not only if the department’s policy was followed but also if the policy itself should be reviewed and updated.
Her statement in full is as follows:
“The decision to purchase the bus tickets was in accordance with long standing policy that has been in place dating back to the former NDP government and is similar to the policy in other provinces. It is normally used when a person needs to return to their home province or needs to reunite with family. The decision to purchase the bus ticket is made by a Social Services official. I have asked my Deputy Minister to review this particular situation to determine if the policy was followed correctly.
“Saskatchewan has a strong history of treating its people with compassion. These recent events illustrate it is time to review and update the policy to ensure all individuals are treated with this compassion when these decisions are made. Our government will do just that should we be re-elected on April 4.”
