Cathy Link was taken aback when she received a call from Ontario Premier Doug Ford one Wednesday morning. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that the province had decided to cancel the contentious plans to establish an emergency shelter for homeless individuals in her St. Catharines neighborhood.
Living near the proposed shelter site at 154 Bunting Road, Link, along with other residents, had voiced concerns about potential issues such as vandalism and drug paraphernalia being discarded in Douglas Park, which is adjacent to the site. The regional government of Niagara had been looking to set up a new shelter in St. Catharines by the year’s end due to the expiration of the lease at a temporary shelter on Riordon Street.
After expressing her apprehensions about the shelter’s impact, Link had reached out to Ford via a number shared by Coun. Jackie Lindal for residents to communicate their worries about the proposed location. Ford not only responded to her texts but also called her directly to convey the news that the lease negotiations had been terminated, effectively halting the shelter plans.
Niagara Region confirmed the termination of lease negotiations for the Bunting Road site, leaving them in search of an alternative location within the city. Despite facing challenges in finding a suitable site that meets the needs of both clients and the community, the region remains committed to establishing a safe and housing-focused shelter in collaboration with local stakeholders and government entities.
City officials disclosed that out of the 190 sites considered in St. Catharines, none met all the necessary criteria, including proximity to schools and public services. The region aims to inform residents, businesses, and service providers once a suitable location is finalized.
Coun. Lindal supported residents in reaching out to Ford, emphasizing that the Bunting Road site was not conducive for a shelter due to its distance from essential services downtown. Link expressed her gratitude towards Ford for his proactive communication and swift action in addressing the community’s concerns.
The decision to halt the shelter plans was met with relief by residents who had been actively opposing the proposed location, believing it was not in the best interest of the neighborhood.