Progress being made in case of Ark Aid zoning by-law debate
The battle between Ark Aid Street Mission and the City of London over zoning by-laws entered a new phase on Tuesday, and local advocates are optimistic following a meeting with the city.
On Tuesday, faith leaders met with the deputy city manager to discuss the fate of Ark Aid Street Mission — currently operating in First Baptist Church on London, Ont.’s Richmond Row.
As previously reported by CTV News London, the city handed First Baptist and Ark Aid a zoning by-law infraction because the church is zoned as a place of worship, but according to the city, the current lease with Ark Aid requires it to be zoned as an assembly hall.
Ark Aid has been temporarily operating out of the basement of First Baptist, providing food and showers to hundreds of homeless Londoners each day.
But after Tuesday’s meeting with City of London Deputy City Manager, Scott Mathers, it seems there has been a change of heart by the city as a solution is sought.
“The city is giving this a sober second look which is what we’ve all really wanted, and my hope is that the city will be able to say this was not the best application of this by-law,” says Canon Kevin George of St. Aidan’s Church.
In their argument, faith leaders explained that it’s not the city’s place to tell religious communities who they can partner with in order to deliver services as acts of worship in their place.
But after meeting with the deputy city manager, local advocates are breathing a sigh of relief.
“Scott [Mathers] was very helpful,” says George. “[He] assured me that he would work with faith communities as it relates to the work we’re trying to do with the winter coming on [and] that our communities don’t have to worry about the misapplication of this by-law again.”
Executive Director for Ark Aid Sarah Campbell says that after Tuesday’s meeting, she too is feeling hopeful.
“He [Mathers] let us know that we would not have to worry about our programs being shut down after Oct. 20,” she says. “In fact, we could invite churches and places or worship to serve our community.”
Following the meeting, more than 60 local faith communities came together on Tuesday afternoon to discuss pooling of resources from donations — including physical space and volunteers — in order to continue to support Ark Aid.
Both Campbell and George say the outpouring of support by the community has been heartwarming, and they encourage the community to continue to help by donating and volunteering.
— With files from CTV News London’s Jaden Lee-Lincoln and Daryl Newcombe
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.