Concerns over relocation of SafeSpace shelter to OEV
A shelter that offers support to sex workers will soon be relocating to Old East Village, and while the move is positive news for the shelter, not all residents feel the same way.
SafeSpace London offers support to women in the sex trade, and after a long and challenging search, the agency has managed to find a new and larger location to address its expanding client base.
“At our current location, with number of folks increasing who are accessing, in combination with COVID, we haven't been able safely have our community indoors,” said Jenna Rose Sands, SafeSpace London executive director.
In early March, SafeSpace will move from Rectory and Hamilton streets to the corner of Dundas and Lyle streets in Old East Village. The new location will also house 20 resting beds for temporary shelter.
But concerns are now being raised over a lack of consultation as Old East Village tries to reinvigorate the area.
“To ensure that we're not interfering with the core-area action plan in trying to do the revitalization,” said Susan Stevenson, Ward 4 councillor.
It’s also a concern for the owner of Unique Food Attitudes, a restaurant specializing in Polish cuisine. According to Barbara Czys, a revitalization of the area has been a long time coming.
"That's what we're hoping, that's what we're looking for as a business owner,” she said.
She worries about a concentration of social agencies in Old East Village and the impact they may have.
"I've been here 11 years struggling every single day,” she said. I do feel compassion for those people but it's a very difficult time for many of us."
Sands is confident there will be positive change as a result of the new SafeSpace location and other initiatives taking place across the city that will ultimately benefit the whole community.
According to Sands, it starts with addressing the unique needs of different groups, including sex trade workers.
"What is safe for me, may not be safe for you. So, just having one-size-fits-all for resting spaces, it just doesn't work,” she explained.
Sands said her agency will be reaching out to new neighbours to address concerns and build relationships.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.