Charlottetown council narrowly votes to move controversial outreach centre
In a narrow vote, the Charlottetown council voted to approve a provincial temporary variance to move the Community Outreach Centre on Monday night.
According to a news release from Charlottetown last week, the province was seeking a one-year variance to move the centre for vulnerable people to two combined modular homes at 15 Park Street.
Charlottetown council approved the motion in a six-to-five vote, but not after councillors who supported and disagreed with the move had their say.
“I ask you consider the outreach centre’s model’s negative effect on our community,” said councillor Justin Muttart, who voted against the motion. “If the centre is relocated, it will be the fifth time in a short period of time. A more permanent plan is what should have been presented.
“I’ve met many residents. I’m the voice of the majority to express their concerns. Residents are generally concerned for their safety.”
The outreach centre, currently located on Euston Street, received plenty of criticism from the public in recent months as residents expressed their concerns about alleged open air drug use and security matters.
Last September, Charlottetown Police Chief Brad MacConnell described the centre as an “un-policeable situation.”
At council on Monday, councillor Terry Bernard, who voted in favour of the motion, said the services at the outreach centre are still needed and they can be improved upon.
“I think this is a reset,” he said. “I’m OK with approving the temporary variance. If it does not work out, I’m prepared to reject a fulltime variance.”
The motion also asked the province to provide two additional police officers to patrol a 20-minute walking radius of the Park Street property during the centre’s one-year stay. It also said the province must install fire sprinklers in the modular homes and provide daily garbage and safe disposal services.
According to a previous news release from the province, they planned to move the outreach centre within 60 days of approval from council.
With files from CTV's Jack Morse
For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.
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.
NEW 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.
NEW 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.
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.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.