Charlottetown council unanimously rescinds emergency shelter deferral
CBC
Charlottetown city council has unanimously voted to rescind its deferral on a decision to allow a provincial emergency shelter to open on Park Street, next to the old government garage.
Council met Thursday afternoon to reconsider a decision to defer, made at Tuesday night's regular council meeting, after a special meeting was called by the city's CAO following a request by Coun. Alanna Jankov, supported by two thirds of council.
The province had put forward a proposal to set up two 25-unit modular housing units at 68 Park St., near the Hillsborough Bridge, to house people currently living in tents. Those units are due to be delivered Nov. 1.
But at Tuesday's meeting, council deferred the decision in a 6-4 vote amid concerns residents in the area weren't allowed to give their feedback, partly due to the impact of post-tropical storm Fiona.
A second resolution approving the original proposal passed 10-0 on Thursday.
P.E.I.'s Housing Minister Matthew MacKay said on Wednesday he was "caught very of guard" by the deferral, saying the province would be looking at legal options to have the variance granted and consider possible backup plans.
On Thursday, Mayor Philip Brown said in an open letter addressed to MacKay and Premier Dennis King that "regardless of recent Charlottetown Council decisions," the province needs to work with the city on "immediate" short-term supports for the homeless population.
Brown said he personally called MacKay to discuss the issue, but got no response. At Thursday's meeting, he called on the province to "stop hiding behind criticism of council and mayor."
The original resolution outlined six conditions:
Coun. Mitchell Tweel told Thursday's meeting there are several concerns that need to be addressed, including whether city police will be providing on-site security.
He also questioned why the shelter would be closed for 12 hours a day, asking where the encampment's are supposed to go when the shelter isn't open.
"The motivation for the referral on Tuesday night was not a vote against," Tweel said. "There was a lack of communication, lack of notice to the people in the immediate area."
Coun. Bob Doiron said he would support the resolution, but asked the province to hold a public meeting within 14 days to address the concerns.
"You were elected for these people, so stand in front of them and answer the questions," he said.
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Near the exit to Truro, N.S., a cluster of colorful tents and a lone RV can be seen alongside Highway 102, some tucked under the overpass for shelter from the elements.
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