*A previous version of this story incorrectly named Councillor Cynthia Mufandaedza among those who voted to defeat the motion. Northern News Services apologizes for this inaccuracy and regrets the error.

A special meeting of Yellowknife city council on Oct. 4 defeated a motion to approve a temporary shelter to operate on Franklin Avenue and 48 Street until a permanent facility is built.

Councillors Shauna Morgan and Julian Morse and Mayor Rebecca Alty voted in support of the motion.

Councillors Stacie Smith, Niels Konge, Rommel Silverio and Steve Payne voted against it, defeating the motion four to three.

Councillor Robin Williams was present but excused from voting as he expressed a conflict of interest.

The vote followed passionate presentations from two Yellowknife residents to council about the proposed temporary site.

Both argued in earnest, though from very different points of view.

While many Yellowknifers have appealed to their neighbours in public forums to allow a safe space for all perspectives at the discussion table, presenter Paula Bauhaus said she decided to speak to council after she saw how business owners who openly oppose the proposed temporary shelter location were being treated in online forums.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey are being bullied. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e being harassed,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Bauhaus told council she has lived in downtown Yellowknife for 40 years and said, SA国际影视传媒淲e need to find a solution that works for everyone.SA国际影视传媒�

Marina, who did not share her last name, told council sheSA国际影视传媒檚 a Dene band member who graduated from Aurora College with honours and as valedictorian. She recounted the three times she found herself homeless in the city; each time as a direct result of intimate-partner violence.

While Bauhaus argued against the weight of harsh, judgemental words from other city residents online, Marina pleaded for peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 lives.

Konge said he wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 support the motion, citing lack of outdoor space at the proposed temporary site and skepticism that the Health and Social Services Authority had truly exhausted all other options.

Smith said she would vote to defeat the motion, but not because she doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to help.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel in my bones that this is wrong,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

She appealed to Indigenous Yellowknifers to wait for a better offer, saying, SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want us to take the first handout.SA国际影视传媒�

She too voiced her lack of trust in the health authoritySA国际影视传媒檚 say-so that all other options had been exhausted.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not supporting this because ISA国际影视传媒檓 fighting for something better for all of us,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Payne told council he wants to find a place for under-housed residents but couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 support the motion based on the up-to-three-year commitment for special permitted use.

SA国际影视传媒淚f it were eight months like the last time, ISA国际影视传媒檇 support it,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He echoed SmithSA国际影视传媒檚 sentiment that better options exist and said, SA国际影视传媒淚 know weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to come up with something.SA国际影视传媒�

Morgan cautioned fellow council members to take a moment to remember their role in the process.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e not building this shelter, weSA国际影视传媒檙e not staffing it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e want to believe there is an option that would make everyone happy; thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not the position weSA国际影视传媒檙e in. This is about getting up and running as soon as possible.SA国际影视传媒�

Morse told council the decision was SA国际影视传媒渧ery easySA国际影视传媒� for him.

Acknowledging he SA国际影视传媒渓ives with a lot of privilege,SA国际影视传媒� Morse said he felt obligated to vote in favour of the motion because the risks to people experiencing homelessness in the winter far outweigh the concerns of objecting residents and business owners. He said the latter are SA国际影视传媒渘ot even close to being the same category as risking life and limb.SA国际影视传媒�

Alty asked members to recall how theySA国际影视传媒檇 gone about considering special permits in recent, previous scenarios. She used the special permit required for the Avens project development as an example, saying in that instance, council did not debate the location of the project.

SA国际影视传媒淟ocation has been a central discussion point,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have not previously weighed in on locations. The decision must focus on the development permit in front of us. The zoning bylaw doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 mandate outdoor space for special, permitted use.SA国际影视传媒�

Though council defeated the motion, the Department of Health and Social Services has the power to announce a state of emergency use for whichever building it sees fit to offer the essential service without further input from neighbours.

In a town hall hosted by the health authority on Sept. 29, Health Minister Julie Green said of the Franklin Avenue and 48 Street location: SA国际影视传媒淚t is truly our last option. We do not have any more aces up our sleeve.SA国际影视传媒�