At last week’s Cobourg council meeting, Gonorthumberland.ca reported on a new emergency care establishment bylaw passed to govern the licensing of emergency shelters in town. The new bylaw is scheduled to go into effect on March 28, a delay intended to allow staff at Northumberland County and the Town of Cobourg the opportunity to come to an agreement on the rules regulating the operation of Transition House as it prepares to move to a new location, explained CAO Tracey Vaughan earlier.
A special county council meeting was held Wednesday where county staff outlined potential consequences of such a bylaw, and its impact to emergency shelters. Several concerns were raised, including a provision of the new bylaw to fine directors and officers of such organizations for contraventions, meeting attendees heard.
Concerns were raised that Transition House and a shelter operated by Cornerstone would be governed by the same provisions. This new bylaw could lead to closures as community board members may opt to resign rather than be subject to fines for which they have no direct control, explained county staff.
County staff will provide a full report at the meeting scheduled for March 20.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
