An Important Update: This Petition Has Achieved Its Purpose

On September 23, the Province of Nova Scotia announced that it will end funding for the current emergency shelter model in New Glasgow following a 90-day transition period and move toward a different mix of shelter, transitional housing and supportive housing options.

This petition was created with a clear request: that the shelter be relocated from its current location while ensuring that services and supports remain available for people experiencing homelessness.

With the Province’s announcement, this petition has achieved its purpose. For that reason, we are closing it with 1,275 signatures.

We want to sincerely thank every person who signed, shared the petition, spoke publicly, contacted elected officials, or participated constructively in this conversation. More than 1,200 people added their names because they cared about the future of New Glasgow and believed there was a better path forward.

As this chapter closes, our attention should now turn to the transition ahead.

There are vulnerable people who depend on these services, and they deserve compassion, dignity and appropriate supports throughout this process. The Province has committed to a 90-day transition period, including a team of outreach workers and complex case managers who will work with shelter guests to identify alternate housing and supports.

We hope this transition is handled carefully and that the next model provides better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness while also addressing the concerns that residents and businesses have raised.

Complex problems require thoughtful solutions. There will never be a perfect answer, but we believe this announcement provides an opportunity to move forward in a better direction.

To everyone who added their name to this petition: thank you for making your voice heard.

We wish everyone involved in the transition well as we move into a new chapter for the Town of New Glasgow.