Hundreds protest Lighthouse cuts in Saskatoon.

A large rally against the provincial government’s cuts to The Lighthouse in Saskatoon Saturday afternoon.

“We come through 10 years of good times and now when times get tough we attack the most vulnerable in our society,” said an emotional Patrice Kelly, who was one of the hundreds at the rally.

Chants like “Wall says cut back, we say fight back” and “Hey, Ho, the cuts have got to go” erupted through the streets.

“I know people who have gotten sick, I know people who have frozen to death and it’s a real possibility these cuts will put people in danger,” said rally organizer Peter Garden.

Protestors actually took over 2nd Avenue and 22nd Street downtown without clearing it with Saskatoon police.

“We need to keep people off the streets,” said Shawn Finnign.

The Lighthouse rally has taken over 2nd avenue in downtown Saskatoon #yxe pic.twitter.com/DuTDm8jEn8

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) October 22, 2016

The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. exists to provide emergency shelter, supported living, and affordable housing to those in need in Saskatoon.

“These cuts are cold and they’re literally leaving people out in the cold,” said Leader of the Opposition NDP, Trent Wotherspoon. “It’s devastating to a community and the suggestion this will save money is nonsense.”

Some of the signs read: basic needs are not for profit, and marching in the streets not sleeping in the street.

Lighthouse rally is done blocking streets in downtown #yxe pic.twitter.com/HwV6uo3mAA

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) October 22, 2016

When the province cut the funding on Sept. 28, 2016 they said a funding review found only five people who used the stabilization unit over the last year went on to make the transition to stable housing.
 
“After careful review of the results of the evaluation undertaken by the Ministries of Social Services, Health and Justice along with the Saskatoon Health Region, the government has concluded that the Lighthouse does not serve enough eligible clients to cover the cost of operating the stabilization unit in Saskatoon,” read the release.

The Lighthouse rally has posted a message to the provincial cabinet office to @SaskParty and @PremierBradWall to stop cuts #yxe pic.twitter.com/LajlPRMzn2

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) October 22, 2016