CITY COUNCIL – Residents will get a chance to weigh in on shelter extension

Residents will get a chance to weigh in on whether a controversial emergency shelter in the Tranquille Road shopping area will stay open for three more years. City council decided today (March 10, 2026) to call a public input session but not before another blowup between Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and other councillors and staff.

After that was over with, the council engaged in an hours-long debate over what the format for public input should be, finally deciding the mayor should call a special council meeting at a yet-to-be determined date.

The former Butler Auto & RV commercial property on which the shelter is located, 142 Tranquille Road, was given a 20-month temporary use permit in November 2024. It will expire July 26 this year.

Called the Pathways Shelter, it provides 44 beds on a 24/7 basis and is funded through BC Housing’s Homelessness Encampment Action Response to Temporary Housing program. It also provides health, cultural and housing supports.

Today’s confrontation between the mayor and others in council chambers centred on the question of whether Hamer-Jackson has a conflict of interest in dealing with the shelter decision due to the fact he has legal proceedings against Joshua Knaak of Arpa Investments, owner of the Butler property.

As the item came up on the agenda, corporate officer Maria Mazzotta began to ask Hamer-Jackson a question but he quickly cut her off, saying, “I’ve got a legal opinion; I’m not in conflict.”

“We understand that you are no longer legally represented,” said Mazzotta.

“How do you know I’m not legally represented?” the mayor demanded, asking if it was based on media reports.

When Mazzotta acknowledged that her understanding was partly from the media, Hamer-Jackson said, “I will tell you I do have legal representation.”

The exchange then got sidetracked regarding the council’s code of conduct. At one point, he tried to rule Coun. Dale Bass out of order but she shot back, “No, you’re out of order because you’re slandering me.”

When the mayor threatened to have her removed from the meeting, she replied, “You will be sued.”

On a motion from Coun. Stephen Karpuk, and advice from Mazzotta, Hamer-Jackson was removed from chambers while council voted on whether to uphold the mayor’s point of order ruling. Council said no.

“I’m tired of that guy,” Bass remarked.

With the mayor back in the room, discussion got down to the question of council giving the public notice it would be considering a three-year extension on the temporary use permit. Coun. Mike O’Reilly recused himself because he said he has a business relationship with one of the directors of Arpa.

While there was agreement that the public deserved to be heard, agreement on how that would come about was harder to come by. Some council members wanted a “town hall” style meeting, some wanted input only through the normal public submissions process, some a special meeting of council. Coun. Katie Neustaeter wanted the security and safety committee, of which she is chair, to “host” a meeting.

And there was more disagreement about what a point of order entails.

Finally, Mazzotta suggested the mayor call a special meeting and that a date and venue be decided, likely in April. That didn’t require a council vote so the debate ended there.

The shelter site has been enhanced with fire safety systems, controlled access, perimeter fencing, lighting, security cameras, on-site laundry, and creation of amenity spaces, secure storage and office space at a cost of $3.5 million, plus $2.6 million in operating costs. An onsite food truck provides meals.

Conversion of the site for the shelter was initially met with divided opinion, with some people in support and others very much opposed. Those differences continue.

The shelter has operated at a 95 per cent occupancy rate, with 304 people accessing it. The report said the shelter is monitored by ASK Wellness and the City to address concerns of the public and businesses.

“It is recognized that shelters can attract congregation nearby, which can be challenging for surrounding residents and businesses,” it says. “Such congregation should not be interpreted solely as nuisance or criminal behaviour, but as a response to limited safe and accessible spaces.”

Perimeter checks of the site are done five times per day, and community service officers patrol the area every four hours.

Social, housing and community development manager Natasha Hartson remarked that an emergency shelter is only a “band-aid” solution but “removing the band-aid doesn’t solve the wound.”