The Editor,
Re. “Coquitlam council OKs temporary shelters” (The Tri-City News, Sept. 19).
I writing to express my concern about The Tri-City News article about the approval of the cold/wet weather mat program.
I spoke at Monday’s city council meeting on behalf the Parkland elementary school parent advisory council and the quotation you used from me minimized and dismissed some of the very valid concerns the parents of Parkland have about this program.
Our school is located directly across from Calvary Church on Regan Avenue. Not once was the school or PAC or the parents of the daycare located in the church contacted by the city, church or Hope for Freedom Society to discuss and outline the plan for this program.
If this program is as safe and well-run as the city claims, why was a transparent, open dialogue not initiated? Why was information on this proposal not readily available from city?
Yes, the Hope for Freedom Society states that it will attempt to screen and select low-risk homeless people for this program but they cannot guarantee 100% that negative events will not happen.
The permit states that the community needs to be consulted but the city council, in my opinion, had no interest in entertaining our concerns or even informing us. This program is a Band-Aid solution for the homeless crisis in the Tri-Cities.
Let churches and volunteers offer a temporary solution instead of properly investing in mental health, addiction and recovery services and social housing.
And for the councillor who dismissively said schools are only open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so why are we worried: Parkland is the hub of our community and not only teaches 270 children but houses four daycare/preschool programs and hosts numerous after-school and sports programs.
Our school is supposed to be a safe place in our neighbourhood every day, all day.
Kim Parker, Coquitlam, Parkland PAC Chair
