Future of Park Street Emergency Shelter a concern for some MLAs
CBC
Some P.E.I. MLAs are pressing the provincial government for answers about the future of the Park Street Emergency Shelter.
The 50-unit shelter opened in December to help those experiencing homelessness and people sleeping in tents around the city — but a temporary permit the city issued to operate the shelter is set to expire in October.
Liberal MLA Gordon McNeilly wants to know if a new permit will be issued to keep the shelter operating.
"Is it becoming a permanent facility?" asked McNeilly in the legislature on Friday.
Minister of Housing, Land and Communities Rob Lantz couldn't provide answers.
"I'm not here to commit to anything on the floor of the legislature," he said. "This is an important issue. We have partners to consult, we've got the community to consult."
McNeilly also raised concerns that the shelter's sprinkler system isn't working, which is a requirement to keep the facility up to code.
"Our unhoused community deserves to know … that we've taken every precaution to keep them safe in the unfortunate situation if there was ever a fire."
Lantz confirmed the sprinkler system is in place, but isn't operating.
"I commit that if the facility becomes a permanent facility then we'll make sure it's got an operational sprinkler system," Lantz said.
A statement from the city said the shelter met fire code before permits were granted, and the Charlottetown Fire Department hasn't issue any warnings since the shelter opened.
"Any extensions to occupancy would require a fire inspection and additional items required would be determined based on any such inspection report," the statement read.
McNeilly pressed the province to come up with a plan for the shelter, and the residents who rely on it.
"We have to make sure the people, the unhoused community, are able to rely on this system. It has been operational for six months," McNeilly said.