Homeless encampments being dismantled in Fredericton
With two fires caused by propane heaters inside tents last week, Fredericton's homeless encampments are being dismantled for the winter.
"We've got to, someone is going to die," said Warren Maddox, executive director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters.
“We’re in this really typical position for us that we’re damned if we do and we’re damned if we don’t, so if I’m going to be dammed, I’ll be dammed for doing something,” Maddox said.
Fires and frigid temperatures are not the only fears, Maddox has major concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning in tents with propane heaters.
"We know we're upsetting you and really creating a sort of chaos in your life and we're sorry, we are, so we're compassionate about it, we're willing to try as many different things as we can but the bottom line really is, it's time, it's cold there's too much danger with the fires," he said.
Fredericton Police Chief Roger Brown released a lengthy statement regarding the fires.
"As police officers, it is our duty to ensure the safety and security of everyone. In this case, that means having to step in when someone’s living situation becomes a risk to themselves and others,” part of the statement read.
The south side tent camp came down on Friday.
At least 15 people living rough on Fredericton’s north side will be moved from their camp on Monday when the city and community stakeholders step in to move them out of the cold.
"Overall there's capacity to take them in, now know that the guys on the north side they're a little more entrenched, so we're not going to get them all, and we'll sort of deal with that situation as it arises,” Maddox said.
The city has an ongoing “by-name list” a record of those who do not have a home in Fredericton, as of this week there were 161 people on that list.
There are currently 126 shelter and transitional housing spaces, but that is projected to increase to 160 by the end of 2022.
"We've seen the approach already in terms of housing first and the John Howard project at the City Motel, and the 12 Neighbours project on the north side, and that's exactly what we need more of,” said David Coon, MLA for Fredericton South.
But until spaces become available for everyone, homeless outreach workers are concerned for the safety of those living outside in the freezing Maritime climate.
"The goal with our partners and everybody else is to get them in and get them stabilized and figure out what kind of supports are you going to need, what sort of housing will you need,” Maddox said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.