A decision to allow only homeless people inside Yellowknife’s downtown day shelter has been welcomed as a courageous move by neighbours but dismissed as ill-conceived by others.

An RCMP vehicle outside Yellowknife’s day shelter and sobering centre

An RCMP vehicle outside Yellowknife’s day shelter and sobering centre. James O’Connor/Cabin Radio

The NWT Disabilities Council, which operates the combined day shelter and sobering centre on 50 Street, initially planned to make the change last week. It will now come into effect on December 2.

Up till now, the day shelter has been largely open to anyone who showed up.

Read more