Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few more questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. So given the fact that these new services will be introduced to the intoxicated and homeless population downtown, what is the future of the day shelter? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, we just recently renewed the contract for the day shelter in its current location. I have made a commitment to move the day shelter to a different location recognizing the public outcry against its current location but we had to renew the contract because we haven't actually been able to find another location. We're prepared to move it as soon as we find another more suitable location for the day shelter.
However, on top of that, we have also moved forward with expanding the hours; it's now a 12-hour a day from seven to seven. That should happen in the next couple of months, we're just working out the details with the provider. There has been some suggestion that we try to utilize one building for both the sobering centre and the day shelter; there would have to be separate entrances. That might prove to be a way to control some of our spending, but we have to be aware that we may not be able to find a location that can meet both those needs.
So for today, the day shelter is in its current location, the hours are being expanded, and a few other additions are being added and hopefully we can find another location to satisfy the demands of the downtown core.
