Prince Rupert Labour Council calls on City to take action on homelessness

In an opinion piece in the local paper the Prince Rupert Labour Council 
observes that the Civic Centre Auditorium would be a workable 
temporary solution during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic

The organization that represents Prince Rupert's labour movement has called on the City of Prince Rupert to join in on local efforts to assist those who are most vulnerable in the community.

The Labour organization sharing their concerns this week over the city's seeming disinterest in the issues of homelessness in the community.

In an Opinion Piece in the weekly newspaper, the Labour Council highlights the unusual times that the COVID-19 pandemic have presented for those vulnerable residents and notes how the need for adequate and safe shelter space for the homeless should be the city's top priority.

"Homeless people are part of our community. With unemployment up and many more people unable to pay their rent or mortgage, there will be a growing number of people without a place to live. Peiple from throughout the North Coast Region will be in this situation with many people from nearby communities moving to Prince Rupert to find shelter. That's why we must prepare now" -- From an Opinion piece submission to the Northern View from the Prince Rupert Labour Council

The editorial page presentation provides an overview of the dire situation facing the community's homeless population and the challenges that those looking to assist them have had in trying to do the best they can to ensure for their safety.

In a nod towards a recent advisory from Mayor Lee Brain that residents should now address any concerns on homelessness and housing towards MLA Jennifer Rice's office, the Labour Council observes how during the course of a public health emergency that "the city must put politics aside now".

The organization further calls on the city to make the Civic Centre available to provide for temporary shelter for those who need it. As part of their review of the issues, they also observe how the Auditorium in the Civic Centre is big enough to serve as a suitable temporary solution.

They also highlight how "MLA Jennifer Rice has been working on behalf of everyone in  Prince Rupert and marshalling provincial resources to help open up a temporary shelter, adding that the
city must join this effort too"

The Mayor's terse dismissal of civic responsibility or interest in a range of local concerns came the day following the suspension of a Local State of Emergency by the Provincial government.

"Unfortunately any community issues moving forward regarding housing, childcare, homelessness, etc are to be sent to Jennifer Rice's office as her and her team are now in control. 

You can forward your concerns to Jennifer Rice by calling 250-624-7734 or e-mailing jennifer.rice.mla@leg.bc.ca."  -- Mayor Lee Brain in a Facebook statement March 26

Since that time neither Mayor Brain, nor any other member of Prince Rupert City Council has spoken to the issue of the homeless in the community during this period of a pandemic response.

Any opportunity for immediate public discussion by the city's elected members of local office was eliminated in March; when the Council members cancelled the scheduled City Council session for this week citing  a lack of business as to the reason to side step the public process of accountability.

For the most part, other than constant updates from the Mayor's Facebook page on those themes that he wishes to push forward; the pursuit of civic business has been one with little public contribution, or commentary from the remainder of the City Council

The six elected members for the most part seem to be letting the Mayor and senior city staff take the lead, set the agenda and speak for the collective.

As we outlined last week, MLA Rice had outlined how the situation became urgent as the City of  Prince Rupert had forwarded a letter to the Province"demanding the current shelter be shut down immediately."

The North Coast MLA who took the lead on the emerging crisis following that correspondence, has expressed some hope that a short term and long term solution may soon be in place for the homeless, though to this point there have been no  further announcements forthcoming as to what shape those temporary and long term measures may be.

So far the only version of the Prince Rupert Labour Council opinion piece can be accessed through the e-edition of the local paper, which you can find here, it appears on page A4

The Prince Rupert Labour Council is also taking further action towards building community support on a range of issues related to the COVID-19 crisis, tonight they are hosting an online Roundtable to explore concerns and exchange ideas, you can learn more about that initiative here.

We have been following the growing concern over the homeless in the community for a lengthy period of time now, you can review some of our articles from our archive page here.