Regina’s Coachman Inn Faces Criticism for Poor Conditions

Concerns regarding the living conditions at the Coachman Inn in Regina have come to light after a social services client shared her distressing experience. Sonya Scales, who has been without permanent housing since June 2023, described her stay at the inn as “deplorable.” She and her 13-year-old daughter are currently relying on social services for housing, but the experience has been far from safe or comfortable.

Upon entering their assigned room, Scales reported an immediate encounter with unsanitary conditions. “The conditions were deplorable. Before I even walked in there were people asking us to buy crystal meth. We opened the door and the smell was so sickening,” she detailed. Scales stated that the presence of cockroaches and bedbugs was overwhelming, with visible insects crawling on the furniture and feces staining the mattress.

Advocates for social services clients have echoed Scales’ concerns. Ivy Kennedy, a councillor with the George Gordon First Nation, noted that issues like these have only surfaced over the past decade. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “In 1985 or 1982, when I first started in community, we didn’t have the cockroaches or the fentanyl issue at the time.” Kennedy, along with others, is calling for the Coachman Inn to be removed from the list of accommodations for social services clients. “They got to do something. This government has to take this off that list no more and that’s what we want,” she asserted.

The situation has drawn attention from political leaders as well. During an event in Regina, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck expressed her alarm over the hotel’s continued use for housing social services clients. “I thought that the Coachman was closed. Honestly, it’s my first response. All people in this province deserve dignity and deserve respect. I think this is the baseline,” Beck stated.

In response to the claims, the Ministry of Social Services issued a statement detailing their process for securing accommodations. They mentioned that since March 2023, they have implemented a system to obtain quotes from at least three hotels in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw. The ministry emphasized that they strive to balance cost effectiveness, safety, and availability when booking rooms. “If a client has a health or safety concern regarding the room, we will look to secure alternate, available accommodations as we work with the hotel to address those concerns,” the statement read.

Despite these assurances, the ongoing issues at the Coachman Inn have raised serious questions about the adequacy of accommodations provided to vulnerable populations. CTV News attempted to contact the Coachman Inn for a comment, but the hotel’s owners declined to provide a response. A request was also made to the provincial health inspector, with no response received by the time of publication.

The situation at the Coachman Inn highlights the urgent need for a reevaluation of housing options for those relying on social services in Regina. As advocates continue to voice their concerns, the call for improved living conditions and accountability from local authorities remains pressing.