Downtown businesses now call outreach workers if there is a conflict or crisis, instead of calling on police services. This is thanks to the Welcoming Streets program which launched on February 1st. The calls are for help with issues such as loitering, trespassing, people using drugs or other social disturbances.
The County received a one-time funding from the federal government towards supporting temporary expansion of shelter spaces, providing limited rental assistance, and other areas.
Mayor Neil Ellis says the provincial and federal governments need to come up with a plan to deal with the growing crisis for addiction, overdoses and homelessness.