Latest news with #emergencyShelter
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Regina city council approves financial compensation for businesses near new emergency shelter
Regina city council has approved a plan to provide financial compensation to businesses located near a future permanent emergency shelter in the city. Businesses that are within 100 metres of the shelter, which will be located at the former Eagles Club on Halifax Street are eligible to receive the compensation, after raising concerns the shelter could negatively impact their properties. More details regarding eligibility are expected to be made public within the next month. 'We heard from the delegates that came to speak to us about how we had some paving dollars set there and they said we'd rather see that as a kind of contingency fund or fund set aside just in case something [happens],' Mayor Chad Bachynski said during an interview with CTV Morning Live Saskatchewan on Thursday. 'Really the way I look at it and even my fellow councilors and even the delegates that spoke to this, is our hope is that [fund] is not even used.' Bachynski said if businesses do not need to access the money it would set a precedent that similar compensation programs will not be needed for businesses that may have a shelter open near them in the future. 'We don't know what we don't know and so we put this aside and we will ultimately hope that the best-case scenario happens and everything goes as planned.' The location was identified by city administration out of 72 possible locations before being recommended to executive committee and then passed by city council after discussions with businesses in the immediate area. Regina's lease on a temporary shelter located at 'The Nest' expires on July 15 with no possibility of the lease being extended. Businesses near the site of the new permanent emergency shelter have been in talks with the city since last September. The funding, if needed, would come through a one-time grant. -With files from David Prisciak and Sierra D'Souza Butts
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Brickbat: Friends in High Places
Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio reports that Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, mishandled the state's emergency shelter system by approving "improper and unlawful" no-bid contracts for food and transportation services, costing taxpayers millions. Some of the contracts went to Healey's campaign donors. DiZoglio's audit criticizes Healey for not using competitive bidding, leading to overpayments, while highlighting a lack of transparency and oversight in the program. Healey's team says the contracts were necessary due to an unexpected surge in migrant and homeless families. The post Brickbat: Friends in High Places appeared first on
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Regina business owners near shelter site express concerns
Regina business owners near shelter site express concerns WATCH: Regina's new emergency shelter is set to open soon but business owners say their concerns still haven't been addressed. Sierra D'Souza Butts reports.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Regina's executive committee recommends providing compensation to businesses near new shelter
The former location of the Eagles Club at 1600 Halifax Street is the new proposed location for the city's permanent emergency shelter. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News) Regina's Executive Committee is supporting a plan to provide financial compensation to businesses located near the city's new permanent emergency shelter - after hearing concerns about public safety. 'We advocated not only for our businesses, but for the safety and dignity of the shelter residents,' said Miranda Michell, manager of Fella & Fetch. The shelter is located at the site of the former Eagles Club near the city's downtown. Nearby owners told city administration that putting additional safety measures at their sites would provide comfort for their workers and clients once the shelter is up and running. 'I think it's important for everyone to be safe, not just our business or people, our people, in the shelter, everyone should be safe,' said Bobby Krznar, owner of LK Auto Collision. After hearing from delegations on Wednesday, the city brought forward a motion to grant a one-time payment of $200,000 to help cover the businesses costs for equipment like security cameras and other surveillance. The city also plans to enhance supports for the shelter through groups, such as the Regina Street Team. 'Our job is to listen to the community, in this case the businesses around that area, and try to find a way to navigate that. To try and put everybody in the best place for success in this situation,' Mayor Chad Bachynski told reporters. Businesses are also asking for an outdoor fence and patio area to be built at the shelter. In response, the city said it plans to reach out to the provincial government for additional funding to help cover the costs. 'We know that space is important and we want to get it built and it will get built,' Bachynski said. 'What we're saying is we're putting pressure to make sure that whatever's needed to support that space will happen, and we're going to put pressure on to make sure it happens.' With executive approval on the recommendations for the shelter, the decision will be brought forward for city council approval on June 11th. As of now, Bachynski said the shelter is still on track to open in July.
CBC
02-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Peguis First Nation uses its disaster expertise to help northern Manitoba fire evacuees
When news broke that a massive evacuation was needed to protect people from wildfire, Peguis First Nation stepped up. The First Nation converted its multiplex and home to the Peguis Juniors hockey team into an emergency shelter for up to 300 people. It was more than half full this past weekend. Located in Manitoba's Interlake, Peguis First Nation has repeatedly been flooded. Last month, a local state of emergency was declared after wildfires destroyed homes and heavy smoke put members' health at risk. "People from other communities stepped up, they helped us, we appreciated that. We couldn't have done it without them so we're just trying to reciprocate. We're trying to give back to the people from up north," Chief Stan Bear told CBC News. Peguis chief and council decided to take in evacuees without knowing if any financial or other support would be available because it was clear people needed help right away. "We're never given or allowed the opportunity to do things the way we think they should be done. There's always criteria, guidelines, rules and I think it hampers us," said Bird. "To see what's happening here, that shows that we are quite capable." Bird is proud of the members who are working to make sure Northern First Nations facing evacuation are cared for. "They know what needs to be done and how to do it. They step up. I mean, we've been through so many disasters in our own lifetime that it's almost second nature for us," said Bird. Peguis First Nation welcomes Pimicikamak evacuees 24 minutes ago Duration 2:45 Members of Peguis First Nation have been forced from their homes repeatedly due to frequent flooding and even wildfires The First Nation is now turning the tables and giving back to others in their time of need. Pimicikamak Cree Nation members are the first evacuees to take Peguis up on its offer of safety and shelter. Pimicikamak is about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg on the shores of Cross Lake and counts 6,800 on-reserve members. Lori Osborne, 29, spent more than a day and a half getting to Peguis, including a seven-hour wait for the ferry — the only way into Norway House — about 100 kilometres away by road from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. That was followed by a night on gym mats and another wait, this time for a military Hercules plane, which evacuated them out of Norway House. The plane became overcrowded by evacuees who had driven south to escape the fire. Osborne grew tearful during an interview with CBC News as she recounted what her young children went through to escape the fire. She said the experience was hard on her and her four children, who range in age from eight months to 10 years. "I cried in the bus on the way here, but when I arrived here, I felt so welcome," Osborne said. "When I got in the washroom, I noticed towels hanging everywhere and toiletries and shampoos and toothpaste and toothbrushes, everything was all ready for when we got here. It was nice. I felt safe." She said it makes a difference being surrounded by other First Nations people. "One hundred per cent First Nations people are here and it's comfortable. I like it. I love it." Education assistant Beverly Scatch is taking care of her four-month old grandson while her firefighter daughter, Kaitlin Monias, battles the blaze back in Pimicikamak "I'm kind of scared for her. I feel like I don't know when we're going to see each other again," Scatch said in an interview with CBC News. Monias never got a chance to say goodbye to her mom and infant son before they were forced from their home in Pimicikamak. Scatch hasn't spoken to her since they left. When Scatch tried to reach her daughter Saturday, she was told "she's out in the bush right now," but Monias left word with her supervisor to find out where they were evacuated to and how they were doing. "I'm so proud of her because she did this for her kids and the people back home," said Scatch. But for now, Scratch waits, not knowing when she will speak to her daughter or return home.
