Liberal MLA calls for government to take over Community Outreach Centre
CBC
Liberal MLA Gordon McNeilly is calling on the government to immediately take over operating the Community Outreach Centre in Charlottetown.
McNeilly raised the issue in the legislature on Wednesday, after he said he heard that the Salvation Army was backing out as the current operator.
"Earlier today I heard that the government is in talks about the Salvation Army's role in the Outreach Centre, so I wanted to ask the minister about that and didn't really get a clear answer," the MLA told CBC News after question period.
"It's definitely needed in our community."
Minister of Social Development and Housing Brad Trivers did not clearly answer McNeilly's question about the Salvation Army's ongoing role in centre management — or confirm if it was stepping back.
"The working group, of course, is the one that manages the relationship with the operating partner, and what I understand is that the operating agreement would require three months' notice if it was going to be broken," Trivers later told CBC News.
"I haven't heard that that is underway or anything. I don't sit on the working group."
CBC News reached out to the Salvation Army and it said it would not comment on the future management of the centre.
"The Salvation Army is dedicated to not only the Outreach Centre, but also all programs we offer through homelessness services for those experiencing homelessness," said Lt. Kyron Newbury in an email.
"We are committed to supporting and walking along side any in need in the city of Charlottetown."
The pilot project was introduced in the winter of 2020 and the facility has had four homes in that time. McNeilly said government has failed to share information about the program with the legislature.
"This was supposed to be a pilot program. I don't know when it was starting, when it was ending," McNeilly said.
"We haven't even seen the contract between the Salvation Army and the government. So we've got to make sure that the services are provided, there's an evaluation component and that we can get that data that [government is] talking about."
The centre has been a source of controversy in recent months, since moving to its current location in the former Charlottetown curling club in June.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.
CBC Calgary kicks off its annual Make the Season Kind campaign this morning at Fratello Coffee Roasters.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.