Hub for homeless resources in Saint John to open in weeks, not months, following encampment death
A “one-stop shop” for homeless resources in Saint John will be open by the end of January, instead of April as originally planned.
The sped up timeline for Saint John’s so-called homeless hub follows the death of 44-year-old Evan McArthur this past weekend.
McArthur suffered severe burns in a fire at a Saint John homeless encampment on Saturday night and died the following day.
When asked by reporters on Thursday if McArthur’s death had any impact on the hub’s opening being moved sooner, Social Development Minister Jill Green responded “it definitely had something to do with it.”
Around 300 people attended a vigil for McArthur on Tuesday night at Kings Square, calling for immediate action.
Green said an emergency meeting was held between the department, city officials, and local MLAs, where it was requested for the hub’s opening to be prioritized before April.
“The hand was raised and said ‘please help us, let’s move faster,’ and we found a way to get it done faster,” said Green.
Outflow Ministry will operate the hub at 344 Somerset St. in the city’s north end.
It’s the same location where Outflow operates the city’s temporary Out of the Cold shelter, scheduled to continue until April.
Tony Dickinson, a director at Outflow, said the new homeless hub will break down barriers for clients to access services and also put community groups on the same page.
“This will allow us to work very closely with other agencies, government departments and what not,” said Dickinson. “It’s like a one-stop shop for everything you need to manage while you are homeless, and to ultimately exit homelessness.”
Resources and staffing at the hub will focus on mental health, addictions, and housing.
“Simple things like helping them get IDs so that they can apply for different services and different help,” said Green.
The hub will also give people a warm place to stay during the day.
Similar hubs opened late last year in Moncton and Fredericton, with both operated by local chapters of The John Howard Society.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It wasn't easy the first time': What Trudeau has said about Trump
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a measured tone when talking about Donald Trump during his first presidency, the Canadian leader has been a little more direct since. As we head closer to a U.S. election this fall, CTVNews.ca takes a look at everything Trudeau has said publicly about the presumptive Republican nominee.
Protesters smash windows at McGill University; police use tear gas to disperse crowd
Montreal police deployed tear gas as they dispersed a crowd of protesters participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after members of the group smashed windows at McGill University Friday evening.
Tips and tricks to keep mosquitoes away this summer
Pesky mosquitoes are enough to ruin the best summer days, and during warm weather or when near boggy waters, it may feel impossible to keep them at bay.
Meet the students keeping Canada's war history alive
At Beaumont-Hamel and at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Canadian students work as interpreters — about 16 at any time — as part of a work exchange program organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Biden rejects independent medical evaluation in ABC interview as he fights to stay in race
U.S. President Joe Biden, fighting to save his endangered reelection effort, used a highly anticipated TV interview Friday to repeatedly reject taking an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is up for serving another term in office while blaming his disastrous debate performance on a 'bad episode' and saying there were 'no indications of any serious condition.'
Canada beat Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa America semifinals
Canada claimed a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela on Friday to reach the Copa America semifinals for the first time after an absorbing contest finished 1-1.
Owe money for CERB? Here's how the CRA is getting it back
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may face some hurdles in collecting the money loaned through COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), according to a tax lawyer.
Stay away from hogweed: What you need to know about these pesky and dangerous plants
Hogweed is harmful to humans and, experts say, the invasive species has become a growing problem in southern Ontario.
N.B. man denied flight due to tear in passport’s seam
What seemed to be a minor passport issue turned into a major problem for a New Brunswick man who was denied a boarding pass from Air Canada.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
'It was pretty intense:' Driver rear-ended by 14-year-old recounts fiery collision on Hwy. 401
John Tzannis says he is lucky he wasn’t more seriously injured after a 14-year-old driver rear-ended him on Highway 401 in Mississauga, sending his work van spinning into a concrete barrier early Friday morning.
-
Peel police make five arrests in 'violent extortion incidents'
Peel police have made five arrests in connection with a series of “violent extortion incidents” that led to the formation of a dedicated task force this winter.
-
6-year-old child in hospital with serious injuries after Milton collision
A six-year-old child is in hospital with serious injuries following a collision in Milton.
Calgary
-
Most Calgary outdoor public pools are ready to go but restrictions are keeping them closed
With summer in full swing and a heat wave on its way to Calgary, there's still no timeline for when the city will ease the water restrictions keeping outdoor pools closed to swimmers.
-
Yahoo! There's something for everyone at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth
From the games to the grub, it's every child's dream but it's not just for the kids.
-
Calgary airport security workers say employer Paladin won't provide bathroom breaks, water access
Paladin security workers at the Calgary International Airport are rallying against their employer after they say the company refused to provide them with mandated bathroom breaks and access to water.
Edmonton
-
Child drowns while camping south of Edmonton with family: RCMP
An investigation is underway after a child drowned in Wetaskiwin on Tuesday.
-
2 firms offering auto insurance to pull out of Alberta market
Two insurance providers in Alberta have announced plans to stop offering automobile insurance to customers in the province.
-
Legal Aid to continue services under funding extension as negotiations with province continue
The province and Legal Aid Alberta have agreed to extend their recently expired agreement by two months.
Montreal
-
Quebec pharmacists may soon have more powers: What are they?
Pharmacists in Quebec can treat certain minor health problems or offer preventative treatments.
-
Protesters smash windows at McGill University; police use tear gas to disperse crowd
Montreal police deployed tear gas as they dispersed a crowd of protesters participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after members of the group smashed windows at McGill University Friday evening.
-
Montreal police investigate 2nd stabbing this week in The Village
Montreal police say a suspect has been arrested after a man was stabbed with an "edged weapon" in the city's Village neighbourhood on Friday.
Ottawa
-
CTV News Ottawa's Graham Richardson signs off for his last newscast
CTV News Ottawa’s chief news anchor Graham Richardson signed off for his last newscast Friday night.
-
Hawkesbury doctor acquitted of murder files $20M lawsuit against hospital, staff members
Court documents are detailing for the first time the series of events that led to Hawkesbury doctor Brian Nadler being charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four of his patients—charges he was acquitted of this week.
-
Ottawa woman, 49, wins $70 million, plans to help community
An Ottawa woman, who has survived cancer and has overcome addiction, has won $70 million with Lotto Max.
London
-
Intimate partner violence behind Woodstock neighbourhood shooting: Police
One person has died and another is injured after police in Woodstock, Ont. responded to multiple calls of "gunshots in the area." Around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, police responded to Champlain Avenue between Athlone Avenue and Frontenac Crescent.
-
LCBO strike won’t mean a dry summer in London, Ont.
Some local producers of beer, wine, and liquor are taking a wait-and-see approach to the LCBO strike.
-
Police investigating armed robbery, requesting information
Norfolk County OPP are investigating an armed robbery that took place Friday morning around 7:20 a.m.
Barrie
-
Fire closes Cookstown Foodland indefinitely
An early-morning fire closed the Cookstown Foodland grocery store on Friday.
-
Woman rescued from rapids by retired officer and off-duty firefighter
Provincial police say a retired officer and an off-duty firefighter jumped into action to rescue a woman who had fallen into raging rapids in Minden.
-
WITH VIDEO
WITH VIDEO Drone captures raging truck fire on Highway 400
A dump truck caught fire on Highway 400 near the Essa Road off-ramp.
Northern Ontario
-
Large pile of lobster dumped on the side of Hwy. 17 in northern Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after a pile of dead lobster was found on the shoulder of Highway 17 this week in northern Ontario.
-
Eight-year-old boy pulled from water covered in blood after bite at Montreal beach
An eight-year-old boy from Los Angeles had his vacation to Montreal include a dramatic moment when a creature swimming underwater bit him causing a bloody scene at Jean Dore beach.
-
CRTC posts independent report on Rogers outage, says company made necessary changes
An independent report into the 2022 Rogers outage says the company lacked several protections and redundancies that could have either prevented the outage or ended it sooner.
Kitchener
-
How local alcohol businesses are reacting to LCBO strike
Locally-owned alcohol businesses are making adjustments to attract more customers while LCBO workers across the province are on strike.
-
Brantford woman's death considered suspicious
An arrest has been made in the suspicious death of a 40-year-old woman in Brantford.
-
Stay away from hogweed: What you need to know about these pesky and dangerous plants
Hogweed is harmful to humans and, experts say, the invasive species has become a growing problem in southern Ontario.
Windsor
-
Hundreds of local LCBO workers on strike
For the first time in the history of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), unionized staff are on strike — including about 525 workers from Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. In Windsor, strikers took to three picket lines at 7:00 a.m. Friday.
-
Wheat field fires sparking up across southwestern Ontario
Firefighters in Amherstburg put out a wheat field fire earlier this week in the midst of the crop's harvest.
-
Mosquito pool tests positive for West Nile Virus in Chatham-Kent
A pool of mosquitos collected on Wednesday has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Chatham-Kent (CK) Public Health said the pool came from a trap in Wheatley. It’s the first positive pool identified in Chatham-Kent this season.
Winnipeg
-
The story behind a truck covered in teacups in Brandon
If you’re ever visiting Brandon, Man., you might want to pay a visit to Talia. She’s beautiful, delicate, and a true work of art.
-
'It’s not really any different': HSC nurse speaks out amid critical contract vote
A nurse at Manitoba’s largest hospital is calling for better working conditions and a salary that can keep up with the cost of living, as thousands of nurses employed by Shared Health prepare to vote on a new contract.
-
'It's a fool's errand': Winnipeggers left pumping water after latest rainfall hit the city
The constant barrage of rain this year has left many Winnipeggers having to pump water out of their basements, including on Thursday when 42mm of rain hit the city in an hour.
Regina
-
Sask. parents raising awareness for youth mental health after teenage son's death
A White City, Sask. family is raising awareness for youth mental health following their son’s death last month.
-
Community keeps hope alive on 20th anniversary of disappearance of Tamra Keepness
It has been 20 years since the disappearance of Tamra Keepness but the community continues to keep hope alive.
-
Moose Jaw police say doorbell pranks could lead to criminal charges
The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is warning children to stop playing doorbell pranks, as they could lead to serious consequences.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon driver accused of causing a fatal crash did not have a driver’s licence, police say
Saskatoon police say the man accused of causing a crash that killed one woman and injured three others last month, did not have a valid driver’s license.
-
'I got no remorse': Greg Fertuck, convicted of murdering missing spouse, sentenced to life in prison
Greg Fertuck will spend life behind bars with no chance of parole until he is 90 years old, a judge ruled on Thursday at Saskatoon's Court of King's Bench.
-
'Fairly good shape': Sask. government updates province on Highway 123 repairs
For years, Highway 123 leading up to the northern village of Cumberland House has been notorious for being one of the worst highways in Saskatchewan.
Vancouver
-
Cleanup continues after firefighting foam spills into B.C. creek
The cleanup and remediation continues in Abbotsford, B.C., after firefighting foam spilled into a creek, killing fish and other aquatic life.
-
'Elaborate' fraud scheme involved impersonating corporate security and police, Kelowna RCMP say
Mounties in Kelowna are warning the public after a local resident fell victim to an "elaborate" fraud last week.
-
B.C. wrestler Chelsea Green ready for Canada's 1st WWE Money in the Bank event
This weekend's Money in the Bank will be a full-circle moment for Chelsea Green.
Vancouver Island
-
Vancouver Island to see $3B in BC Hydro upgrades, expansion over the next decade
British Columbia's power provider is planning to spend more than $3 billion on capital projects to upgrade and expand the electricity grid on Vancouver Island.
-
B.C. wrestler Chelsea Green ready for Canada's 1st WWE Money in the Bank event
This weekend's Money in the Bank will be a full-circle moment for Chelsea Green.
-
Mom and daughter inspire each other to overcome adversity and live creatively
To appreciate how Charlotte Friend ended-up painting unexpectedly, we need to go back to where she began raising her daughter Becca optimistically.
Kelowna
-
'Elaborate' fraud scheme involved impersonating corporate security and police, Kelowna RCMP say
Mounties in Kelowna are warning the public after a local resident fell victim to an "elaborate" fraud last week.
-
Man shot, 2 cars burned in suspected gang incident in Kamloops
Mounties are urging the public to be vigilant following a suspected gang shooting in B.C.'s southern Interior that left a 40-year-old man injured this week.
-
B.C. expands heat pump rebate program as highs up to 40 C forecast in Interior
British Columbia residents are being told to brace for a coming heat wave that could send temperatures into the high 30s and beyond, with the government reminding people to check in on their neighbours.
