Finding shelter: Halifax council meets to discuss allowing tents in public parks
Halifax Regional Council is meeting Tuesday evening about the report that recommends allowing tents in public parks as a temporary solution to homeless.
Over the dinner-hour, the city’s mayor and councillors listened to a staff presentation about allowing tenting in some municipal parks.
Several councillors are urging the province to become part of the solution, and they’re asking staff to look at non-park properties for consideration.
“I think it’s a great idea because there’s a lot of people that are homeless and this is a pretty good place for them to go and I see a lot of people especially around this neighbourhood and from around the city that are literally sleeping anywhere,” said frequent park user Holly Billard.
The chosen sites are located throughout the municipality. They’ll be designated for either overnight or long-term stays.
“There are people that need to have a place to lay their head at night so I think that they should be at least given the chance,” said area resident Tara White.
The city is considering the proposal despite housing falling under provincial jurisdiction. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston was asked about the proposal on Tuesday following his State of the Province address.
“In terms of the municipality making very specific very, specific decisions like that, that’s for them to make. We’ll be there to support Nova Scotians where we can but we respect the municipality’s decision on that,” said Houston.
Issues of enforcement and safety are sticking points for some councillors, but for residents like Holly Billard, shelter should come first.
“I think it’s a safer idea for people that are homeless, for them to have a designated space because they need safety too right?” added Billard.
The staff proposal to identify certain parks in the city comes after a housing advocacy group asked that all public parks be open for pitching a tent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.