Upcoming events at Grand Parade Square like the annual Christmas Tree Lighting are in doubt, as the number of homeless encampments grows at the site.
As the homeless population in Halifax continues to rise, concerns are growing regarding the impact on one of the city’s most well-known landmarks. Grand Parade Square has seen an increasing number of homeless encampments. As Vanessa Wright reports, the situation could affect events planned for the area.The 41st annual Nova Scotia Fallen Peace Officers’ Memorial Service made adjustments to their location, opting to hold the ceremony at RCMP headquarters in Dartmouth on Sunday.
“We normally have this service at Grand Parade,” Halifax Mayor Mike Savage told the crowd during the memorial.“They’re not bad people in Grand Parade. They’re not mean, they’re not angry, they’re not hateful. They’re just homeless,” he said.“We have to make sure that we redouble all of our efforts to assist those folks.”
The acting public information officer for Halifax Regional Police, Nicolas Gagnon, told Global News that the decision wasn’t made lightly, and that “it was really done out of respect for those who are homeless and sheltering at Grand Parade Square.”A spokesperson for Halifax Regional Municipality says some upcoming scheduled events, like Remembrance Day and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will still be held at Grand Parade.
“Municipal staff continue to monitor the situation and work with community partners to find solutions for those sheltering at Grand Parade and other municipal locations,” says Ryan Nearing, a public affairs adviser for the city.Savage says they need places to put people if there is no other alternative. He’s calling on the province to address the affordable housing crisis.“I’d really like to see the province focus on those issues over which they have complete control,” says Savage.
Until then, the city says any adjustments to scheduled events, like the Christmas Tree Lighting, will be communicated in the weeks leading up to the events.
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