Sprinkler system at Charlottetown shelter will be in by December, says housing minister

The deadline is closing in for the P.E.I. government to meet the City of Charlottetown's conditions for the Park Street Emergency Shelter to continue running for another year.

But the province's minister of housing says the major one, involving the installation of a new sprinkler system, will be addressed starting this Friday.

The original permit for the shelter expires on Friday. Last month, city council approved the Department of Housing, Land and Communities' application for a temporary zoning variance to keep it operating — but there were conditions, including requiring a sprinkler system.

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During the council meeting Tuesday night, Coun. Julie McCabe said the province had a year to install a sprinkler system in the 50-bed shelter and should have had it done by now.

Justin Muttart, the councillor for Ward 2, where the shelter is located, said residents in the area want to know what's happening.

"I don't have any update in terms of the operational piece," said Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov. "I just know council has approved the one-year extension with a development agreement attached to it, with the items on that development agreement which do need to be adhered to by October 13th."  

Jankov said if the requirements aren't met, the city will "begin its enforcement process," but she was unclear on what that could include.

If work has started by Oct.13, fire officials could allow the sprinkler installation to go on to completion, the deputy mayor said.

"We would have to look at a best practice, what do we do normally if people do not adhere to their development agreement," she said. "I'm sure there has been many case studies where they have been given a few extra days."

Back in June, Liberal MLA Gordon McNeilly raised questions in the provincial legislature about there not being a functional sprinkler system at the shelter.

In an interview with CBC News on Wednesday, Housing Minister Rob Lantz said without permanent approval, the provincial government was initially reluctant to install an expensive sprinkler system at a temporary facility.

The province eventually decided to go ahead and put the installation of a sprinkler system out for tender, he said.

"We're making that commitment without any commitment that this is a permanent location, but we understand it's for the safety of the people that stay there," Lantz said.

"We need to work in partnership to make this service a success for the people who need it. We'd like to get to a place where we have a permanent solution in the city, whether it's here or somewhere else."

RFP closes Wednesday

A request for proposals to install the system posted on the province's website was set to close Wednesday at 2 p.m. AT. It said work would begin Friday and be completed by Dec. 31.

"I think it would be very disappointing if the applicant does not have their operations in order. They had a whole year," Jankov said. "I am hoping the applicant doesn't disappoint."

Lantz said provincial officials will immediately begin the process of awarding the tender.

"We're all working toward the same goal. We want what's best for people who need the service," he said.

The province has done work to meet some of the other requirements outlined by council, Jankov said. That includes ensuring there is a new entrance created for the facility and for fencing to be put up.

"I did learn that there has been some discussions with Public Works around fencing and relocating entrances and exit points. I haven't heard of any other updates," Jankov said.

We need to work in partnership to make this service a success for the people who need it.— Rob Lantz

Another condition the city attached to the variance is the province providing funds for the city to add police officers to patrol the area. Jankov said she hasn't heard an update on that either.

Lantz told CBC News that providing additional money for more police officers is complicated, since the province is funding four positions now — two dedicated to the Park Street shelter and two at the Community Outreach Centre on Euston Street.

"The City of Charlottetown is a full-service municipality and they pay for the police force through their municipal taxes," Lantz said.

"We're getting into unprecedented territory where the municipality is asking us to continue funding more and more of their police officers … [The city] has to take a long, hard look at their investment in their own police services."