'I'd like to have my downtown back': Moncton residents concerned about crime and homelessness
In a town hall meeting held last week, many residents and municipal workers voiced concerns over crime and homelessness in the Moncton, N.B., area.
Apart from residents, an MLA, city councillors, Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold, and members of the RCMP all said they haven't been comfortable with the safety throughout the area.
John Wishart, co-chair of a downtown Moncton homeless committee, said the meeting went well and that it gave the chance for many to voice their frustrations.
"Almost everyone had a story. A shed was broken into, their home, they've witnessed people OD'ing. They're fearful for neighbourhood children. You stack all those stories on top of one another and it really paints a picture of some urgent needs in the community," says Wishart.
Main Street business owners are also worried about the number of homeless people in the downtown core.
"If you polled the businesses on Main Street, 95 per cent would say the homeless have had a detrimental impact on business," says Old Triangle Irish Alehouse owner Steve Gallagher. "It's lamentable, really. I do have empathy for people who suffer from addictions and mental illness, but at the same time, I'd like to have my downtown back."
"Nighttime? I wouldn't say it's great," says Keating's Tobacco co-owner Joe Vasseur. "If you're used to the area it's not the end of the world. But if you're from the suburbs and you're coming for a nice night out you can sometimes have a bad time."
Along with vocalized concerns, questions about solutions continue to linger.
"There needs to be a buck-stops-here accountability and ownership entity. Who is that or what is that? It's partially the city, it's partially the province. We need to build something that does that for Greater Moncton," says Wishart.
Residents can weigh in again at Thursday's meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.