Ottawa city council approves land transfer for Inuit shelter
Vacant property now in hands of Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition; no word when work could begin
A vacant plot of land in Ottawa is now in the hands of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, after city council voted to transfer the land to the Indigenous organization so it can build a dedicated Inuit women’s shelter. (Image from Google Maps)
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition can begin developing a plot of land for an Inuit women’s shelter after Ottawa city council voted unanimously to transfer the property to the Indigenous group.
On Wednesday, councillors declared a vacant lot at 250 Forestglade Cres. as surplus land and agreed to transfer the property to the coalition to develop the site for transitional housing.
The move means the coalition, an alliance of 10 urban Indigenous organizations that provide front-line programs and services to Indigenous people living in the city, can continue with its plan to build a dedicated Inuit women’s shelter there.
On May 7, the city’s finance and corporate services committee approved a motion to transfer the land at the recommendation of city staff, which described the neighbourhood as a quiet area that would offer privacy and safety for women and children at the shelter.
The shelter plan, however, has elicited mixed reactions from residents in the Hunt Club neighbourhood.
Some residents voiced their opposition at a community meeting hosted by Coun. Jessica Bradley, who represents the area, late last month. And at the May 7 committee meeting, one resident said he was worried the presence of a shelter “would detract” from the neighbourhood.
There was no word at Wednesday’s council meeting as to when the coalition hopes to have the shelter open for operation.
Good