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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.