Latest news with #P.E.I.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Summerside approves new family shelter, but more services still needed, says non-profit
A path has been cleared to allow for the construction of a new family emergency shelter geared toward women and their children in western P.E.I. Summerside council voted unanimously Monday night to rezone a portion of the city to allow LifeHouse to expand its services by building a new five-bed shelter. Shelby Pitre, the outreach co-ordinator for the organization, said the current shelter is often at capacity. LifeHouse, which is run with support of BGC Summerside, had to turn away around 80 women in 2024 because it was full. "This rezoning for the shelter is absolutely incredible," Pitre said. "It just provides safety and security to women who wouldn't have had it otherwise." Pitre said the expansion will add the shelter's first accessible room, and will offer both transitional and permanent housing options. 'Sad statistic' JP Desrosiers, Summerside's chief administrative officer, said he was surprised to hear how many women had been turned away from the shelter last year. "As a resident and a representative of the City of Summerside, it's a sad statistic," he said. "I'm glad to see a local community group like the BGC to step up and provide services." While the city hasn't opened shelters itself, Desrosiers said council has been supportive of the operators that have. "I think, generally speaking, they're all doing a good job," he said. "I think that's noticed by the nearby residents, when we have a rezoning like [Monday] night and virtually no commentary to the contrary at all." Elysha Whitlock, executive director of The Village Summerside, a non-profit dedicated to helping the vulnerable and unhoused population, echoed Derosiers' sentiments about LifeHouse. "It's absolutely heartbreaking to hear that high volume has been turned away," Whitlock said. "They can only do what they're able to do, and with the high volume they have helped, it's completely understandable that they just don't have the space." She said The Village Summerside recently helped a woman and her child with a damage deposit on a rental home after they'd spent 18 days at a motel. "You don't necessarily see unhoused families in park settings. Just because we're not seeing it, does not mean it's not there," she said. "Everybody's really struggling right now, and we've had to accept the fact that we've started assisting with damage deposits." Whitlock said Summerside needs to have different types of support. She's advocated in the past for low-barrier shelters that serve people in active addiction, but said that can't always be possible "Ideally in the future, perhaps there could be an option to open a low-barrier, strictly women's shelter for those females who aren't necessarily comfortable in a shelter environment," she said. "For now, I think we've made great strides... and I am absolutely thrilled to hear the news of the new family emergency shelter opening up." Staff with LifeHouse said they aren't sure when the new shelter will open, but that ideally they'd like to have it up and running by next year.
CBC
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Study aims to examine effects screen time on young Islanders
The P.E.I. government has partnered with Laval University to conduct a study into the impacts of screen time on youth in the province. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin sat down with Youssef Allami, the lead researcher on the project, about what they might expect to find.
CBC
a day ago
- Health
- CBC
P.E.I. becomes the first Maritime province to regulate acupuncture
Acupuncture is now a regulated health profession in Prince Edward Island, with the new regulations coming into effect Monday. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke with Daniel Schulman, the chair of the new College of Acupuncture of P.E.I., about what that designation means for practitioners.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘It can be quite alienating': Islanders react to happiness poll that ranks P.E.I. last
Despite its scenic charm, a new survey ranks P.E.I. lowest in national happiness, leaving many Islanders surprised. CTV's Maria Sarrouh reports. You wouldn't guess it from the boardwalk chatter in Charlottetown, or the smiles in bloom on a sunny afternoon, but Prince Edward Island has ranked last in a national poll on happiness. A recent Leger internet survey of nearly 40,000 Canadians asked respondents to rate their happiness on a scale from zero to 100. Islanders reported an average score of 66.5 per cent, the lowest of any province. By comparison, Quebec came out on top at 72.4 per cent. While some Islanders are brushing it off, others say the ranking reflects deeper issues, from cost-of-living struggles to social isolation. 'That's pure lie. We're very happy people,' said Michelle O'Hanley at the Victoria Park boardwalk. 'Quality of life is really good, so that surprises me,' added Jessica O'Hanley. 'Everything kind of slows down here, people enjoy life,' Chris Carsten said while on a stroll with his family. 'You almost never get a traffic jam,' said Tracy Nguyen. While the province is often seen as postcard perfect, some residents say daily life does come with real pressures. 'It's not a cheap place to live as far as groceries and rent, and income isn't as high as other cities,' said Pius MacPhee. 'Crossing the bridge. And accessibility to metro cities,' added Dhvanit Upadhyay, listing challenges he faces. Suggestion: Listing the challenges he faces, Dhvanit Upadhyay cited 'crossing the bridge' and 'accessibility to metro cities.' Statistics Canada data shows that in the first quarter of 2025, 48.5 per cent of Islanders rated their life satisfaction between eight and 10 out of 10 - nearly identical to the national average of 48.6 per cent. Still, the Leger results have sparked a broader conversation about what well-being looks like in smaller communities. Michael Arfken, an associate psychology professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, said the results reflect what many are feeling, from limited access to family doctors, to struggles with work and wages. He added that the province's size can be both a blessing and a curse. 'A lot of people that have grown up on this Island feel a sense of connection and a sense of community,' he said. 'On the flip side, if you're new here and don't have those established relationships, it can be quite alienating.' For some Islanders, gratitude for the simple pleasures goes a long way. 'I woke up this morning, and my feet touched the floor, I knew I was alive. And I was going to make the most of today,' said Kenny Tierney, back on the boardwalk. On the UPEI campus, a chalk smile drawn on the pavement offered a quiet reminder that joy can still be found all around.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
CTV National News: Survey says P.E.I. residents are least happy in Canada
Watch Despite its scenic charm, a new survey ranks P.E.I. lowest in national happiness, leaving many Islanders surprised. CTV's Maria Sarrouh reports.
