A human rights watchdog group is opposing the temporary closure of Kenora’s Emergency Shelter and Service Hub.
The shelter inside Knox United Church is set to close on Monday, and the head of the Ontario Human Rights Commission is calling on the province to either reconsider its decision or delay the closure.
Chief Commissioner Renu Mandhane is sending a letter to Indigenous Affairs Minister and Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, who announced on July 30th that the shelter will shut its doors for 45 days.
Mandhane says the move will force “extremely vulnerable” people to get by on their own on Kenora’s streets.
She says while Kenora is facing a drug crisis, shutting down its only emergency shelter is not the answer and will only create new problems.
The Kenora District Services Board says it will ensure there is funding to make sure local groups are able to provide meals while the emergency shelter is closed.
The reasons given for the closure include “public safety concerns,” with Board officials saying the setup isn’t working.
The Emergency Shelter and Service Hub opened in March.
The OHRC wrote to Minister Greg Rickford on the closing of the Kenora emergency shelter. This will have a disproportionate negative impact on Indigenous peoples and vulnerable community members. https://t.co/AR3Q7pmjeX
— The OHRC (@OntHumanRights) August 9, 2019
