A Tuesday council meeting at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops has underscored the complexity of a decision facing city leaders: whether to extend a temporary permit for the Pathways emergency shelter, a move supporters say is essential — but critics argue is failing nearby businesses.
The 44-bed shelter at 142 Tranquille Road, funded by BC Housing and operated by ASK Wellness Society, is seeking approval to continue operating until 2029.
Police: Shelter improves coordination, reduces broader risk
Kamloops RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley told council the shelter should be viewed not just as a social service, but as part of a broader public safety strategy.
“This isn’t just a social decision. It’s a public safety and community stability strategy,” he said.
Pelley acknowledged calls for service have increased in the area, but said that reflects improved visibility and reporting — not necessarily worsening conditions.
“When there was no centralized shelter, people were dispersed across encampments, alleyways, doorways,” he said. “Now those risks are consolidated into a known location where they can be monitored and addressed.”
He added that the shelter has helped reduce scattered encampments, improve coordination between agencies, and allow for faster, more targeted responses.
“Calls for service may be up, but the harm, risk, and unpredictability are reduced,” Pelley said. “Without that anchor, people will fall back into survival patterns.”
He also confirmed increased patrols are already underway, including expanded street enforcement and foot patrols in business corridors.
Business owners describe ongoing impacts
Despite that assessment, several business owners painted a starkly different picture of day-to-day conditions.
Carly, owner of Kamloops Art Party near the shelter, urged council to balance compassion for vulnerable individuals with the realities facing businesses.
“This conversation needs to be rooted in compassion… for the most vulnerable… as well as compassion for businesses… because right now, both sides are scared and being let down,” she said.
She told council that what was promised when the shelter opened — including strong supports and safety measures — has not fully materialized.
“As a business owner… I live that reality daily,” she said. “It is not uncommon… to deal with violent behaviour, hard drug use directly outside our building… including literally on my doorstep.”
Carly said her business has been forced to adopt a locked-door policy due to safety concerns.
“We are adapting to survive… this is not sustainable and isn’t fair to any of us,” she said, adding that even increased security presence ahead of the council meeting has not resolved ongoing issues.
She also warned of broader economic impacts on the North Shore.
“It affects whether families feel comfortable… whether customers return… and whether a new business chooses to open here.”
Frustration from neighbouring property owners
Other speakers echoed concerns about crime, costs, and safety.
Rob Guido, who lives and operates a business near the shelter, described repeated financial losses and stress.
“Monday morning… I had $2,700 in damage done to my business,” he said. “It is very hard… to employ eight people… and continue to float this business.”
While he said he supports the idea of sheltering people, he argued the current model and location are not working.
“Shelter, 100 per cent. Is it working where it is? Absolutely not,” Guido said. “We had 20 months… to come up with a plan, and we didn’t.”
Emotional testimony from shelter users and advocates
The concerns from businesses contrasted sharply with emotional testimony from shelter users and advocates earlier in the meeting.
Michael McDonald, a resident of the shelter, told council: “When Pathways opened its doors… there was a need that needed to be addressed and Pathways addressed it.”
“You can’t get that [support] on the street… They do the work of five or six agencies,” he said, warning that closing the shelter would undo progress made by residents.
Advocates also stressed the shelter’s role in a strained system.
“Connection is the opposite of addiction,” said Penny Douglas, a local volunteer. “We cannot understand how it changes someone when they have a roof over their head.”
Others compared shelter capacity to essential infrastructure.
“Not having available shelters… is the equivalent of us not having an emergency room,” said Glen Hilkey, former operator of The Loop on the Kamloops North Shore.
Broad support from health and service sector
Submissions from groups including Interior Health, A Way Home Kamloops Society, and Out of the Cold Shelter Society emphasized rising homelessness and the need to maintain services.
Interior Health warned that closing the shelter would increase pressure on hospitals and emergency responders, noting a sharp rise in homelessness in recent counts.
Process concerns and divided council
Adding another layer to the debate, the property owner, 1082177 B.C. Ltd., has raised concerns about procedural fairness, questioning the mayor’s role in chairing the meeting.
The meeting itself reflected those tensions, with multiple points of order raised as council members debated procedure and scope.
At one point, a councillor emphasized the stakes: “If Pathways is closed, there are 44 people who are going to be somewhere else in this city.”
A difficult path forward
The central dilemma remained clear throughout the hearing: while few dispute the need for shelter, there is deep disagreement over how — and where — it should operate.
Police say the facility improves coordination and reduces broader risk. Health officials say it is essential. Advocates call it life-saving.
But nearby businesses say the current model is taking a toll, and residents describe ongoing safety concerns.
As one speaker put it, “both sides are scared and being let down.”
Council’s decision on the temporary use permit is expected to have far-reaching implications for how Kamloops balances public safety, economic vitality, and the urgent need to address homelessness.
