Moncton wants $400,000 from province for homeless emergency

New Brunswick's new finance minister, Ernie Steeves, said Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold requested more than $400,000 from the provincial government to deal with the current crisis that homeless people in the city are facing.

We don't know where [the money is]going to come from and I'm new enough in the department that I'm not sure how much we have.- Ernie Steeves, finance minister

The two met Friday to discuss the need for an emergency out-of-the-cold shelter that would operate from a church basement or another public space and offer mats or cots to people who are living on the streets.

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Those who work with people who are homeless worry that with rooming houses being demolished and shelters already at capacity, the estimated 120 people who are still in tents outside are at risk of dying this winter.

"If something doesn't change this winter, we are going to see deaths," said Lisa Ryan, the director of outreach programs for the YMCA in Moncton.

Not sure where money will come from

Steevescalled Arnold's request for money"significant" but said he understands a solution to the crisis will cost money.

"Everything costs money," he told Information Morning Moncton."If I was to go and buy 120 people a cup of coffee then it costs money. So we don't know where it's going to come from, and I'm new enough in the department that I'm not sure how much we have."

Steeves said he has spentthree days working with staff at the Departmentof Finance in Fredericton since being sworn in as minister on Nov. 9.

"I've got to figure out exactly what the route is from those people and they know it far better than I do right now, and so that's where we're at."

He said he expects it will take a commitment from alllevels of government and from the publicto help people who are living outside.

"It's going to have to be a collaboration from all three levels of government and at least some sweat equity from the faith community and from volunteers and from everybody else."

'Yea I'll balance your budget'

Steevessaid he is very interested in "social issues," but at the same time is "very fiscally conservative."

"It's one step at a time," he said. "We're working on the budget yes, but things come across our desk that need immediate and when it's a matter of people living or dying, then that takes priority doesn't it?"

Steeves didn't say when he will have an answer for the City of Moncton, given that he is hoping to present a balanced budget in about three weeks.

"It's going to be some hard work and it's going to be some unpopular decisions but we have to have the balanced budget. We haveto."

Steeveshas had one, 10-minute meeting with Blaine Higgsabout what the new premier wants in the upcoming budget.

"He doesn't want the credit rating to go down. He wants the budget balanced and I said, "Yeah, I'll balance your budget."

Moncton Coun. Paul Pellerinplans to introduce a motion at Monday's council meeting to set aside $20,000 in city funds to help shelters and groups that need more capacity to house the homeless.

With files from Information Morning Moncton, Gail Harding