Claudia Turner, left, and Richard Wolfe, who are Lighthouse clients, organized the rally. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Support for Lighthouse

Lighthouse Rally sees strong show of support

Mar 11, 2021 | 3:16 PM

There was a strong turnout for a support rally for the Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords at city hall in North Battleford Thursday.

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan recently announced it would provide interim funding until September, during the COVID-19 pandemic, after learning the local Lighthouse emergency shelter was at risk of closure. But the shelter still needs a permanent core funding source.

Community advocate Ben Feist who spoke during the event said he believes all levels of government need to take care of the vulnerable.

“I’m really hoping that our municipal, provincial and federal governments will work in partnership with Indigenous governments to make sure the Lighthouse remains fully funded in our community,” he said.

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Feist would also like to see the provincial government provide core funding for shelters to operate across Saskatchewan rather than a per diem model of shelter funding, so shelters are not constantly looking for funds.

A number of people from across the province also attended the event to show their support.

Meara Conway, MLA for Regina Elphinstone-Centre and the opposition critic for social services, housing, human rights, and community-based organizations, spoke at the event about the need for the province to provide core funding to keep the local Lighthouse sustainable.

“There is money available for shelters like this that are doing crucial life-saving work,” she said. “The province needs to step up and support this shelter.”

Many supporters gathered for the Lighthouse Rally in North Battleford Thursday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Richard Wolfe, a Lighthouse client who helped organize the rally, said he wants to make sure all vulnerable people in the Battlefords are not left without a home.

“I don’t want them to be living on the streets,” he said.

While he and other supporters started initiating walks and gatherings over the past two weeks, he hopes more people have become aware of the important role the emergency shelter plays in the community, he said.

When reached by battlefordsNOW, Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill said in an email that the province has not cut any funding that is available to the Lighthouse. He said talks continue.

“Discussions have continued with various local partners this week, and I have participated in a number of those conversations,” he said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @OCoureurDesBois