B.C. Backs Away From Controversial Homeless Shelter Site In Maple Ridge

The Canadian Press, 29 Mar, 2016 12:11 PM

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. — The B.C. government is abandoning plans for a homeless shelter at an old motel in Maple Ridge, east of Vancouver.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman says the province will instead provide about $15 million for a permanent facility in the Fraser Valley community, once an appropriate location is identified.

The ministry says a public consultation process will take place before any site is confirmed.

Many residents were enraged when the government announced plans to use a motel as a long-term low-barrier homeless shelter that would allow people to bring in their pets and belongings.

Residents were concerned it would be located beside a restaurant popular among seniors.

For now, the ministry says it is working with officials in the city to extend the closing of a 40-bed temporary shelter to the end of June so homeless people will continue to have a warm, safe place to sleep.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

$5Million Conservative Leadership Spending Cap Raises Eyebrows On Parliament Hill

A decision by the federal Conservative party to allow leadership contestants to spend up to $5 million on their campaigns to succeed Stephen Harper is raising some eyebrows.

$5Million Conservative Leadership Spending Cap Raises Eyebrows On Parliament Hill

Trudeau Urges Support For Als Research As Commons Pays Tribute To Belanger

The long-serving Ottawa MP presided briefly over the Commons as honorary Speaker, a distinction never before accorded to anyone but unanimously bestowed upon Belanger by colleagues from all parties.

Trudeau Urges Support For Als Research As Commons Pays Tribute To Belanger

Missing Alberta Seniors: Court Hears No Remains Found In Burned-Out Motorhome

Owen Beattie has told a murder trial that he sifted through debris and found no remains.

Missing Alberta Seniors: Court Hears No Remains Found In Burned-Out Motorhome

Alberta Naturopath Worker Says Mom Of Sick Boy Asked For Something For Meningitis

Lexie Vataman, who fills holistic prescriptions at the Lethbridge Naturopathic Medical Clinic, told a jury Wednesday that she received a call from Collet Stephan in March 2012.