'I don't deserve to live this way': Cockroach infestation worsens at Moose Jaw government housing building
Seniors have to worry about pests getting into their food and crawling on them when sleeping
Brent Patterson is tired of having to live with cockroaches inside his apartment at a government housing building in Moose Jaw.
Patterson isn't alone. The Opposition NDP held a media availability on Wednesday about a growing number of residents at High Park Towers facing cockroach infestations.
"I have cockroaches so bad, they crawl over me in my sleep, they get into my food, they climb on my walls, they're in my bathroom, they're in my kitchen, they're in my living room," Patterson said at the media availability.
"I don't deserve to live this way.''
Patterson was among the seniors who traveled to the Saskatchewan Legislature in November to raise concerns about living conditions and safety issues at High Park Towers. He first noticed cockroaches in his apartment about two months ago.
Patterson said he is upset the Saskatchewan government didn't take more measures to get rid of the cockroaches after they first rang the alarm about living conditions.
"You have no idea how mad I am about that, it's disgusting,'' Patterson said. "Why has this gone on for almost a year, like what's happening, do we not matter?''
Patterson added he has higher costs because he's had to buy more cleaning supplies and replace food the cockroaches got into.
Opposition NDP leader Carla Beck echoed Patterson's concerns. She said the High Park Towers residents have yet to see any action from Tim McLeod, who is one of Moose Jaw's MLAs and the province's minister for seniors.
"Our parents' generation helped build this province and now the SaskParty has abandoned them in their old age," said Beck. "I'm very worried for seniors in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and elsewhere if Moe's seniors minister can't even take care of seniors in his own backyard."
"The SaskParty has taken Moose Jaw for granted and it's time for a change.''
In November, Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said he would look into the issues at High Park Towers.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Services said the government is taking the cockroach infestation seriously.
"The most recent inspection was on Aug. 6 and treatment is scheduled for today,'' the spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement on Wednesday. "We will continue to work with pest control contractors to confirm if the treatment is successful and perform additional treatments of the area as necessary."
Jeff Fingler hasn't noticed any cockroaches in his apartment at High Park Towers yet, but he fears the pests could soon make their way into his unit.
"If they [the Saskatchewan government] don't do something immediately, then I'm going to get them,'' Fingler said.
Impacts on residents
Beck expressed concerns that when residents move units they could still be at risk of another cockroach infestation. She added there are fees to move units or buildings.
Patterson said he is considering his future at the housing complex he's lived at for the past ten years.
"I don't want to leave because I have made good friends here and but at the same token I don't want to continue living this way,'' Patterson said. "When you go home at night, you guys can sit and have a good meal, I have to make sure that no cockroaches have gotten into my food.''
One of Patterson's kids Melissa said the cockroach infestation is impacting the amount of time her dad gets to spend with his family.
"We have a number of grandkids under the age of 10 who used to come here on a very regular basis that won't come anymore simply because dad doesn't want them to have to see these conditions,'' Melissa said.
Melissa added she is looking at housing alternatives for her dad such as him moving into her apartment.
"It's an absolutely horrifying condition to have my dad living in and yet I'm wondering what I can do,'' said Melissa, who is also a NDP candidate running in the Moose Jaw-Wakamow riding. "What kind of 65-year-old man wants to live with their 40-year-old daughter?
"But that is the option we have, we don't have any other options, he lives on a very fixed income and isn't able to just up and move anywhere.''
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With files from Louise BigEagle