Moncton businesses search for solutions to growing homeless population
There has been growing concern over the rising homeless population in the Greater Moncton Area, prompting the local chamber of commerce to create a task force to look into the problem.
“There needs to be some solution, and it needs to be now,” says Nasika Breau, owner of Apple Art Gallery in downtown Moncton.
Breau says the homeless population has been growing in the downtown area, however, she says there has yet to be an appropriate solution.
“There’s a lot of work that we have to do that the clients don’t see to protect them, to protect us, and our staff,” says Breau. “Whether its needles, or violent outbursts, or vandalism, or theft, and these are things that growing more and more.”
Breau says it’s a sensitive subject in the city, but there needs to be a better way to help, including more affordable housing.
The Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce is trying to find a solution to the problem by proposing a task force to the city.
“We thought, lets get a taskforce with the three levels of government, business communities involved, social sectors involved, and do a scan of what’s been done so far, and what still needs to be done,” says John Wishart, Executive Director of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.
Wishart says the key for the group is to come up with short term solutions that they can start within the next few months, addressing what has been an ongoing problem for many years.
“It’s glaringly obvious that we have a very big addiction problem” says Rebecca McCabe, who has worked for a decade as a barista at a downtown Moncton café. “I just want everyone to have access to the help that they need, and I know they don’t right now, so that’s what I hope for.”
“All that adds up to a solution that’s increasingly frustrating, and we just want to try and create some solutions before it gets worse,” say Wishart.
The Chamber of Commerce hopes the task force will be able to announce some initiatives by early August, in order to move forward on this growing issue.
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 Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
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.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
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.
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.