Emergency Shelter will continue to use recliners, despite concerns from Cobourg Bylaw
Recliners on the main floor of Cobourg's emegerncy shelter in December 2024. Photo by Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.
The Interim Executive Director of Transition House, which operates the homeless shelter in Cobourg states he will not consult the Town of Cobourg Bylaw Services before implementing decisions, which align with Town’s Emergency Care Establishment Bylaw.
The latest inspection report from Bylaw noted there had been a return of recliners to the shelter.
While this was a concern previously as some people were found to be sleeping in them, a Bylaw inspector wrote an odd warning despite no violation present under the ECE Bylaw.
“We did have a concern regarding the recliners on the main floor. Due to violations, these recliners were previously removed and relocated to your upper floor theatre area. Upon inspection today we noted that a few recliners have been brought back to create a secondary lounging/TV watching area. While, during the inspection persons were occupying the space in conformity to your ECE Licence, going forward changes of this nature particularly having a history associated with violations must be relayed in advance to our Department for consideration prior to implementation,” noted the November 26 report.
Yet Christian Harvey said the ECE bylaw does not address the placement of furniture.
“The decision to put them back was our decision to make. There is no bylaw around that. They say we should consult, fine. But, we didn't violate a bylaw by having comfy chairs,” Harvey said.
The language in the report, Harvey believes, was intended for bylaw to mandate areas they have no jurisdiction over, adding while there is a role for bylaw in the community, there needs to be caution in government overreach. Going forward Harvey states Transition House will not be consulting Cobourg Bylaw on operational issues outside of the legislative purview.
