Niagara's public health committee shown the system works
The Niagara Region's public health committee voting no in changing the temperature policy from -10 to 0, in order to increase homeless services and beds.
City staff gave a report showing there's always a surplus of beds, and the system works well.
Chief Adminstrative Officer Ron Tripp added the system is to temporarily house people with problems, but not to treat addiction or police it. "I again, wish to counter the current narrative in the media, that further investments in cold weather, sheltering spaces, would have prevented a death. No client, seeking shelter this winter, has been turned away due to capacity issues."
Members of Niagara Advocates with Lived/Living Experiences dispute that, saying Bob Allen died after turned from a shelter last year.
Councillor Laura Ip noted the motion includes police, which can be draining on police resources. "So is the person again declared missing or endangered, if they move onto another location, that isn't a shelter, and they refuse to tell police or regional staff where they are going. So, one minute they're found, and 5 minutes later declared missing again, and we're using all those resources again."
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