Seniors at King Edward Place in Saskatoon say they are living in constant fear after the Sask Party government opened their provincially run seniors home to people who are homeless and struggling with addictions.
Seniors report seeing open drug use in common areas, while security doors are kept shut only by bungee cords.
They also describe disturbing conditions such as smeared feces, bed bugs and cockroaches in hallways, and blood on walls.
“One tenant is renting out mattresses by the hour,” said Nathaniel Teed, Sask NDP MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin.
“The Sask Party has abandoned these seniors, and now they fear for their safety every day. These are the people who built our province, and they deserve dignity.”
Teed says he first raised these concerns with the Sask Party Social Services Minister on August 20, 2024, urging him to tour the building and address the problems.
Despite sending a follow-up letter on March 25, Teed pointed out that there has been no action taken.
“You can’t just throw people with addictions challenges into a seniors’ home and hope everything works out,” said Sask NDP Shadow Minister for Seniors Keith Jorgenson.
“Many seniors who have called this building home for years now feel like prisoners in their own residences.”
Residents are calling on the provincial government to find a safer solution and restore some peace to King Edward Place before more harm is done.
The Western Standard is awaiting a response from the Sask Party.