MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw and Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to pursue a provincial grant that could help enhance community safety and well-being and protect the tourism industry.
Municipalities in Saskatchewan are eligible to apply to the Ministry of Justice for funding, with this money supporting research and development of action plans to tackle safety-related concerns, a city council report said.
While municipalities must apply themselves, they may partner with a third-party organization to carry out the project. In this case, city hall has secured support from the chamber and is prepared to apply on its behalf.
This project is in response to motions that council approved in and September 2024 about addressing community concerns with dilapidated and vacant buildings, graffiti, and other issues and finding a partner to pursue this project.
The ministry’s community safety and well-being branch has made funding available to communities since 2022 to develop action plans, the report said. The bylaw division in the City of Yorkton received funding in 2023 and 2024 for the program.
The ministry can tailor the funding to suit each municipality’s needs, as Yorkton undertook a research project and developed an action plan to address graffiti and run-down buildings, the document continued. The provincial funding covered the consultation and planning phases but not the actions that the plan identified.
The ministry says it wants municipalities to apply for funding through an invited proposal, while they can work with third parties to manage the project but would control the money, the report said.
The document pointed out that there are several groups in Moose Jaw that actively provide spaces and support to homeless people and others experiencing social challenges. Those entities include Willow Lodge Shelter, Square One Community Inc., and the John Howard Society. There is also the Community-Based Coalition, a group of non-profits that represent various sectors.
Administration approached the chamber about joining forces after downtown businesses expressed concerns about the effect that “visible social challenges” were having on customer traffic and the tourism industry, with the latter generating $134 million last year in economic activity, the report said.
“As the recognized voice of Moose Jaw’s business sector, the Chamber of Commerce was seen as a natural and credible partner,” the report noted. “(Its) involvement ensures that the consultant’s work is informed by the perspectives and priorities of those most directly affected.”
The document said the two parties are committed to creating a report that highlights the municipality’s efforts to enhance safety and well-being and the business community’s valuable perspectives.
Meanwhile, the city will apply to the ministry by June 20.
The funding will cover the cost of the consultant’s report, although the initiative will not proceed if the province rejects the application, the report said. If the province approves the request, the city will control the payments to the consultant.
The document added that any recommendations that come from the final report will likely have costs attached to them.
City administration presented an update about the grant application during the June 9 executive committee meeting.
Administration explained that if the province approves the application, the chamber will have primary contact with the project contractor and would direct what that person does. Furthermore, the organization would provide results from surveys about community safety for background information.
Moreover, other stakeholders like the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and downtown businesses may be involved and could provide additional information, administration continued. It’s also possible that groups like Square One, Willow Lodge and Social Services could be involved.
Administration added that council will receive a finalized report with recommendations and can make decisions from that.
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, June 23.
