Temporary shelter in Fredericton given permission to open after bylaw issue

An emergency shelter in Fredericton opened on Saturday after bylaw issues put the kibosh on its planned opening Thursday.

Wayne Knorr, a spokesperson for the City of Fredericton, confirmed in an email on Sunday that the out-of-the-cold shelter at Bishop’s Court was given permission to open after the city and the New Brunswick government were able to come to an agreement on Saturday.

READ MORE: Zoning bylaw prevents temporary homeless shelter from opening in Fredericton

The decision comes after bylaw issues forced a local community action group on homelessness to cancel the shelter’s opening.

At a press conference on Thursday, the group told media that it had been given the go-ahead from city hall to open the shelter. But Fredericton Mayor Mike O’Brien denied those claims, saying the shelter had to follow zoning and municipal laws.

“Just by my participation in a meeting and even my own excitement, everybody figured that we could make this work,” said O’Brien on Thursday.

At a special meeting on Friday, Fredericton city council considered a measure to temporarily approve the out-of-the-cold homeless shelter.

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Knorr says council voted to “suspend applicable municipal bylaws related to Bishop’s Court” in order to allow for the shelter to operate with a maximum of 20 occupants from 8 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. until Dec. 13.

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As a result, a letter of indemnification — which would provide liability protection — was sent to and approved by the province on Saturday.

The out-of-the-cold shelter at Bishop’s Court was created by local businesses, charities and community members.

—With files from Megan Yamoah