The GNWT has launched an investigation into YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 day shelter/sobering centre after allegations of mismanagement and safety concerns.

Staff describe the 50 Street shelter as a toxic work environment where they are unnecessarily put in harmSA国际影视传媒檚 way and struggle to access crisis intervention training. NWT Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) spokesperson David Maguire said the authority began work on securing an investigator as they became aware of employee concerns in March.

Operated by the NWT Disabilities Council under contract with NTHSSA, the downtown facility provides shelter to people experiencing homelessness and supports intoxicated clients with access to services during the day.

Health Minister Julie Green said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 aware of the allegations being investigated and assures SA国际影视传媒渢his matter is being taken seriously.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hey are in the early stages of the investigation and, once complete, NTHSSA will share information with the public,SA国际影视传媒� Green said. SA国际影视传媒淭here is nothing further I can share at this time on that matter.SA国际影视传媒�

She said she was not aware of any similar such concerns at the temporary shelter on 49 Avenue.

As it is still early stages, Maguire could not say when the investigation will be complete. As findings may relate to personnel matters, client information, or other protected materials, he said that the NTHSSA may be limited on what information it will share once the investigation is complete. Maguire didnSA国际影视传媒檛 say how many staff are working at the shelter.

WorkersSA国际影视传媒� Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) spokesperson Maggie Collins said that WSCC is not directly involved in the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 investigation but is aware of safety concerns at the centre and is working with management to ensure any health and safety issues are identified and addressed.

April Desjarlais, who owns and works in the Finn Hansen building next door to the day shelter, said a Good Neighbour Agreement has made significant progress in supporting neighboursSA国际影视传媒� safety but that since the pandemic hit SA国际影视传媒渨eSA国际影视传媒檝e gone backwards and used COVID as our excuse.SA国际影视传媒� That agreement forged a commitment for regular meetings and communication among the shelter, surrounding businesses, , City of Yellowknife, Department of Justice and the NWT Disability Council.

Desjarlais points to foot patrols as an example of a service protecting those around the 50 Street shelter. However, foot patrols have been put on hold as a result of the pandemic.

While she said she isnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure exactly why that decision was made, she indicated reduced funding and resources are thought to be behind the change.

In recent weeks she said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 seen SA国际影视传媒渉orrific assaultsSA国际影视传媒� outside the building, SA国际影视传媒渟ome of the worst ISA国际影视传媒檝e seen.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 astounded and traumatized, really, at what weSA国际影视传媒檙e seeing,SA国际影视传媒� said Desjarlais.

Anna Chung, owner of the Korea House restaurant around the corner, expressed similar concerns.

While public intoxication and violence are always a problem outside her restaurant, Chung said the issue has been especially dire in the pandemic era.

She describes SA国际影视传媒渧iolent fightingSA国际影视传媒� and customers being bothered.

Chung said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 often tried to ask the offending individuals to distance themselves from her establishment, without much success.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really frustrating,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 canSA国际影视传媒檛 just call the for minor reasons.SA国际影视传媒�

By the time Chung leaves the restaurant to go home, it can be two to three hours after closing time.

With no one around, she said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 often worried about her own safety.

Though she couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 speak to the investigation into the shelter itself, she said the violence that surrounds the neighbourhood has been SA国际影视传媒渁 big, big problem lately.SA国际影视传媒�

Desjarlais points to the new temporary shelter at the former SideDoor on 49 Avenue as being a different story.

SA国际影视传媒淲ithout a doubt what weSA国际影视传媒檙e seeing at the permanent shelter with regards to intoxication, violence, aggression, non-stop drinking out in public, those things are not being witnessed at the temporary shelter,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

As a result, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 calling for more political leadership to support the 50 Street facility.

SA国际影视传媒淭he disabilities council is reaching out and needs help, and I feel the government needs to support that,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Jordan Crosby, manager at Overlander Sports, is faced with the realities of the temporary shelter daily. While Crosby praised staff for their intervention when the shelter first opened its doors early in the winter, heSA国际影视传媒檚 calling on the government to find another location.

Now that the weather is warming, he said the store is seeing a lot more of the shelter clients. Between the violence outside and interactions with Overlander shoppers, SA国际影视传媒渋tSA国际影视传媒檚 in your face as something youSA国际影视传媒檙e constantly aware of,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Need for healing

Desjarlais said she sees a need for healing in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are a lot of challenges with this (street-involved) population and itSA国际影视传媒檚 not going to get better until our political leaders step in and take responsibility and take charge,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

City of Yellowknife spokesperson Alison Harrower said that as a member of the Good Neighbour Agreement, the city SA国际影视传媒渆ncourages all partners to continue to proactively and collaboratively work together.SA国际影视传媒�

Since the NTHSSA-led investigation is not a city issue, however, SA国际影视传媒渢he city cannot comment on any allegations of SA国际影视传媒榤ismanagementSA国际影视传媒� at the day shelter/sobering centre.SA国际影视传媒�

Harrower confirmed that the number of foot patrols in the area, carried out by the Municipal Enforcement Division (MED), have SA国际影视传媒渄ecreased due to COVID-19 precautions.SA国际影视传媒� She said that plans are in place to increase the number of foot patrols downtown in the upcoming months.