Imminent closure of St. Stephen, N.B., warming centre puts entire town’s well-being 'at serious risk': community group
A community group in St. Stephen, N.B., says next week’s closure of a 24-hour warming centre will put the entire town’s well-being “at serious risk.”
The warming centre’s working group says there’s no permanent plan in place to address St. Stephen’s homelessness issues after the location closes on April 30.
“This closure leaves many vulnerable individuals without refuge or shelter, and serves to exacerbate the many challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness,” says the group in a written statement issued Thursday. “While dialogue has been ongoing, the lack of a concrete plan puts the well-being of our entire community at serious risk, leaving vulnerable individuals without essential resources and care.”
Jim Stuart, the executive director of Neighbourhood Works (which operates the town’s warming centre), didn’t respond to an interview request on Thursday.
The warming centre at 59 Union St. opened in February.
In January, the provincial government put plans to build a shelter “on pause,” following objections from some residents and businesses in the town’s Happy Valley Road area.
Social Development Minister Jill Green wasn’t made available for an interview on Thursday. A statement from the department says it’s “committed to supporting both transitional and public housing options for the community, and will continue forward on this path.”
The municipality declared a local state-of-emergency last December following the death of 41-year-old Adam Dickerson, who was found in need of urgent medical care at a local park before passing away. Dickerson had been homeless for several years.
The state-of-emergency was terminated by the provincial government within 48 hours, with an understanding the two levels of government would work together to build a permanent shelter.
- With files from CTV Atlantic’s Avery MacRae
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
BREAKING Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, claims he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have told the court the accused unlawfully caused the death of four women, but argue he is not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial fined him US$1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order once again and sternly warned the former president that additional violations could result in jail time.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.