Winnipeg city council shelves proposal to dismantle bus shelters, looks for new idea
A motion to dismantle Winnipeg bus shelters is not moving forward after it was replaced with a new idea at city hall Thursday.
The original motion brought to city council by Councillor Shawn Nason was shelved Thursday. It asked the city to remove the glass from two bus shelters in Transcona.
Kris Clemens with End Homelessness Winnipeg told CTV News she is encouraged the motion did not move forward.
"Especially to see some of the councillors that had voted for this motion at committees have a bit of a change of heart," said Clemens.
After hearing public outcry from several advocate organizations, an emotional Nason backed away from his original motion and said it is about the people.
"There's people in very difficult circumstances on our streets. We see it day in and day out. It's not hidden homeless – it's in our face,” he said in tears at City Hall on Thursday.
A new resolution by Councillor Sherri Rollins, seconded by Nason, instead addresses six recommendations put forward by community partners in response to the original bus shelter motion.
Rollins said it is important to listen to what organizations helping unsheltered Winnipeggers have to say.
"It's that housing first and harm reduction, wrap around supports is what most needed to alleviate that,” she said.
The new motion asks the city to explore options for 150 new low barrier transitional housing spaces, which will need funding and a location.
"This step to create 150 units of transitional housing in the short-term compliments those efforts that are already underway and it could give our community the extra boost it needs to really support those who need it most,” said Clemens.
Advocates point to efforts like the 24/7 winter warming safe space on Disraeli Freeway called N'Dinawemak, which is still open now even though it's summer.
Cora Morgan, the First Nations family advocate with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said even with this space, there is not enough room for the number of unsheltered people in Winnipeg. That is leading people to encampments or bus shelters instead.
"To take away bus shelters is not a good reaction," she said.
Morgan added that longer-term funding for safe spaces like N'Dinawemak could help address the immediate need and provide a place where people are treated with respect and feel welcome to tell their truth.
"People need that. It's not about just housing people, it's helping them have value for life and have dreams and acknowledging who they are and what their gifts and talents are."
N'Dinawemak only has funding to keep the doors open until October 31, said Morgan.
The new motion will come to city council again in July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.