Halifax regional council endorses homelessness strategy
Victoria Park, Grand Parade among 6 new designated encampment sites

Halifax regional council voted Tuesday to endorse recommendations laid out in a staff report to address homelessness in the municipality.
The list of approaches includes adding up to six new designated encampment sites, including Victoria Park and Grand Parade — areas where people have already been sheltering.
"By not designating it, we are withholding services they should get," Coun. Shawn Cleary said during the debate.
"They need to have the water, they need to have the porta-potty [portable toilet], they need to have garbage cleanup. We need to have all these things there."
Coun. Paul Russell attempted to amend the recommendation to exclude Victoria Park and Grand Parade. The municipality is currently having discussions on how to proceed with the Remembrance Day ceremony that's held annually at Grand Parade.
"Lots of people have been in touch with me and have said, 'We want to do things in Grand Parade. We want to do things in Victoria Park,'" Russell said.
"I'm not suggesting that because these sites would not be designated that we boot people out. What am I suggesting is that we are able to offer them a better place if there is another designated site over there that does have the additional services."
Bringing 'certainty' to people
Halifax CAO Cathie O'Toole said if those locations were removed, then there would need to be more designated spaces. She said there isn't enough space for everyone with the current number of designated encampment areas.
"We are somewhat concerned with wanting to do this in a way that doesn't wind up with another August 18, 2021-type experience," O'Toole said, referencing a large protest in downtown Halifax