Info session on proposed Halifax Street shelter draws mixed responses

About 100 people gathered at the Mitakuyé Owâs’ā Centre in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood on Tuesday night for an information session about a proposal for a permanent emergency shelter.

The City of Regina held the session to provide more information and get feedback on the proposal for the shelter at 1600 Halifax Street, a building which is currently used by the Regina Eagles Club.

“The city administration, our team, is here to hear the concerns from community about the proposed location for the emergency shelter,” Audra Young, the city’s director of Indigenous relations and community development, told reporters before the meeting.

Many residents said the city gave them too short of a notice. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

During last week’s executive committee meeting, nearly a dozen delegates voiced opposition to the shelter, many saying there was a serious lack of consultation with residents and business owners.

As a result, council ordered city administration to consult with stakeholders ahead of Wednesday’s council meeting, when a final decision is expected.

But at Tuesday’s information session, many in attendance felt the process was moving too quickly.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to have a meeting; however, I heard more questions than answers,” said Dan Turgeon, a local business owner.

Young said comments and questions raised during the meeting were documented, and will be provided to council during Wednesday’s meeting, which starts at 1 p.m. But Turgeon said city staff won’t have the time to explore community concerns in such a short time frame.

Several people expressed concerns about safety and violent crime.

One woman said she supported the shelter, but said it would be a revolving door without addressing crime.

Steve Martin, with Harmonie Holdings, parent company of the German Club, said it is difficult to keep a club operating in the neighbourhood due to crime.

“It’s been here for 70 years, and we’re on a knife’s edge,” he said during the meeting.

“Recently we’ve had our air conditioner broken. We survive on weddings and stuff now. We can’t stay open in the evening – our staff are too scared.”

Martin said the club’s AC unit was stripped for aluminum.

Sarah Kozusko, with Queen City Wellness, said the area has been suffering for a long time, and would benefit from the shelter.

“If you walk down the street here, people are sleeping in the alleys. People are sleeping in the doorsteps. This is the area that needs a shelter,” she said after the meeting.

“Everybody that is sleeping on the streets is very, very vulnerable, and that means that they’re doing things that put them at risk, and society at risk. If we can have them have a safe place to be every day, then that decreases the risk to them and the people around them.”

Another attendee spoke out in favour of the shelter, becoming emotional as she shared her own history of homelessness and addiction.

“If it wasn’t for people who are still putting their feet into that ground for people like me, I wouldn’t be here,” she said.

During last week’s meeting, council directed administration to establish a compensation plan for any businesses affected by the proposed shelter.