City Hall

A site review looking into the viability of the temporary shelter village on the Hillyard property is currently ongoing, but in the meantime, city staff are exploring ways to decrease the operating cost.   

City council discussed the pros and cons of the Hillyard site before deciding to move forward with a temporary shelter village site outside the downtown south core.

Businesses near the Hillyard site say they would have wanted input on the shelter village before it was approved by council.

The lack of public input or time for full discussion at the committee level leaves some councillors worried about deciding on the Hillyard shelter village site.

Council voted down the Miles Street location for the temporary shelter village and voted instead for the a that received no public consultation.

City councillor Mark Bentz would like to go back to the drawing board on the temporary village initiative.

In a memorandum provided to city staff, Mayor Ken Boshcoff says he believes that the temporary village is a safer, healthier alternative to unmanaged encampments.

With council split on the Miles Street location for its shelter village project, a single vote could mean the site approval would pass or fail at the ratification stage.

City staff address safety concerns after Fort William BIA questions why the city would provide the BIA a $125,000 contribution if 114 Miles Street E is selected to be the shelter village site.

Changes include a major revision to the Crosstown route to enhance safety and adherence to schedules