(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

Awaiting provincial response

Second site proposed for future permanent shelter in Red Deer

Oct 12, 2022 | 9:28 AM

A new future shelter site is being recommended to the Province of Alberta, Red Deer city council announced at their Tuesday meeting.

The City stated on October 11 that they are still unable to share the details or location of the previously chosen site due to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act nor for the newly proposed site as land negotiations must still occur.

On September 12, 2022, council selected a potential site for recommendation to the province. The province requested further information which was followed by a meeting on September 27 in Calgary with council and provincial representatives and then on October 1 in Red Deer.

READ: City of Red Deer and province continue discussion about potential site for future shelter

However, the site was determined to be “unsuitable” by the province. Although unable to state the reasons why, Mayor Ken Johnston says provincial reaction was favorable to their second shelter site recommendation when discussed at their most recent meeting.

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“We have already involved and engaged our provincial colleagues, and we anticipate our recommendation will be formally accepted,” he said. “This is an exciting step in the process, and we will continue to work with our provincial counterparts and the private landowner of the recommended site as we navigate next steps.”

Officials confirm the current landowner of the newly proposed site is aware of the City’s recommendation to the province.

“We know our community has been awaiting a decision about the future location for the future shelter,” said Mayor Johnston. “I want to assure our community we will share the future location as soon as possible but right now, we have a legal responsibility to work through these negotiations while respecting the role of the Province of Alberta and the private landowner.”

With the recent swearing in of new provincial Premier Danielle Smith, the mayor says he anticipates hearing a response on the shelter item after October 21, following a potential cabinet revision as announced on Tuesday. He confirmed the City and council will be sending a letter on Wednesday to the premier expressing the desire to accelerate the permanent shelter project in Red Deer.

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“I truly believe the proposed site will foster integration and innovation in a whole new way as we look to address the unique challenges those experiencing homelessness face daily. I believe we have recommended the right site for Red Deer – a site that considers the needs of not only our most vulnerable but the needs of our entire community. The site being recommended by city council considers the input of our community, stakeholders, and partners in this process. I speak on behalf of my council when I say how appreciative we are of our community’s contribution to the site selection process and that we have truly listened to what our community shared with us,” said Johnston.

For more information on the future shelter project, visit www.reddeer.ca/shelter.