Halifax opens 2 new designated encampment sites
The Halifax Regional Municipality opened two new designated encampment sites on Monday, growing the total amount of official sites in the region to six.
According to a news release from the municipality, the new sites are located at Cogswell Park in Halifax and the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S. (which was previously a designated site bfore the municipality removed it from the list in February).
"We've re-designated it primarily to create a space for those people staying at North Brook Park, which is not a designated location," said Max Chauvin, housing and homelessness director for the municipality. "North Brook has a playground structure and a trail through it and it's quite narrow.
"Geary Street has been swept for needles and a lot of other debris you saw in there. There was some broken-down bicycles, there was an old barbecue; all of those things have been removed."
The release notes the municipality has explored other options such as privately-owned land and more spaces from the provincial and federal governments.
"With more people becoming homeless all the time, we need a continual supply of units coming from the province to meet the demand," said councillor Sam Austin. "Otherwise we slip back into a place of people living outside because they have no other option."
Halifax Regional Council approved nine potential designated locations earlier this month. The list included the Halifax Common and Point Pleasant Park, which drew criticism from Premier Tim Houston, calling the idea “completely nuts.”
"When I saw some of the sites that the (Halifax Regional Municipality) has designated, I almost fell off my chair," he said at the time.
The release says the municipality will inform the public if any potential sites are opened as designated encampment locations.
“As part of the planning required before opening any new designated location, risk assessments were completed by Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency and site preparation will be completed today at both locations,” the release says. “People sleeping rough at these locations will be offered supports, including portable toilets, waste collection, bottled water distribution and seasonal maintenance.”
The other current designated encampment locations are:
- Barrington Street
- Green Road Park
- Lower Flinn Park
- University Avenue
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
‘Bomb cyclone’ batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Hurricane-force winds of up to 159 km/h have slammed into parts of the British Columbia coast as a massive storm swirling off Vancouver Island severed highways and cut power to about 225,000 people.
Leon's, The Brick under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing'
Popular furniture and appliance retailers Leon's Furniture Limited and its subsidiary, The Brick Warehouse LP, are under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing.'
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
Burlington, Ont. woman accused of accepting money for fake Taylor Swift tickets
As Taylor Swift is set to perform her final three sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre this week, many people who have fallen victim to an alleged ticket scam are trying to find answers to what happened.
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Is Justin Trudeau just playing out the clock?
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says Canada is facing critical issues that need an active, engaged federal government right now; but Prime Minister Trudeau seems to be running out the clock before the next election.
Judge orders seizure of homes belonging to Montreal billionaire accused of sex abuse
A Quebec Superior Court judge has ordered the seizure of two Montreal-area residences belonging to billionaire Robert Miller, at the request of four women who have filed civil lawsuits alleging he sexually abused them as minors.
Contraband valued at over $101K seized at Gravenhurst, Ont. prison
Officials say staff at a Gravenhurst prison seized a package containing contraband, including tobacco and crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated institutional value of nearly $102,000 from a suspected drone drop.