Boyle Street health hub scrapped in Old Strathcona
After more than two years of preparation and pushback, plans for a new health hub in Old Strathcona have been scrapped.
The new Boyle Street Community Services health hub will not be going ahead on 101 Street and 81 Avenue, the Alberta government confirmed to CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
The hub would have provided harm reduction services – including an overdose prevention site – as well as recovery and treatment services, health care and housing referrals.
It has faced ongoing pushback from some in the community, who questioned the location of the hub.
Both Boyle Street and the minister of mental health and addiction declined interviews on Thursday.
In a statement, the minister's press secretary said Boyle Street withdrew its application for the health hub after the City of Edmonton revoked permits for the facility.
"As development permits have been repeatedly denied or revoked by the city’s Subdivision Appeal Board, Boyle Street is no longer moving forward with their application and Alberta’s government is no longer providing funding for the opening of a new drug consumption site in the Strathcona area," Hunter Baril said in the statement.
The hub previously had its Class A development permit revoked in June 2023, due to accessibility concerns, but it was reapproved as a health service that November after floor plans were updated.
On the health hub's website, it reports that notices of approval for the hub were sent to surrounding communities by the city on Nov. 29 last year.
The city said in a statement that the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) overturned and refused the permit on June 5, 2024.
That decision, according to the SDAB, was due to the development authority failing to satisfy two zoning bylaw regulations.
Specifically, the failure to follow city council's direction to enhance safety and natural surveillance of the parking area and to consult with the Heritage Planner on proposed renovations to the existing false facade.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Thankful for the rest of my life': Woman's final goodbye with father captured on video at Winnipeg airport
One woman is expressing her deepest gratitude to the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport after the staff helped her retrieve the security footage of her final moments with her father.
A father who stayed by his son's bedside were among the victims in California's wildfires
An amputee and his son with cerebral palsy were among the 11 deaths in the fires raging around Los Angeles. The father was found at his son’s bedside.
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Former B.C. premier says she 'misspoke' when claiming she was never a Conservative
Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark, who is considering a run for federal Liberal leader, has backtracked on her claim this week that she'd never been a member of the Conservative party.
U.S. special counsel Jack Smith has resigned
U.S. Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department effective Friday, according to a court filing.
UPDATED Anita Anand will not seek Liberal leadership
Transport Minister Anita Anand announced on social media Saturday she will not seek the leadership of the Liberal Party, nor will she run for re-election in the riding of Oakville.
This Canadian teen lost her hands and feet, she says more people should know how it happened
A Canadian teen is reaching audiences around the world with powerful social media videos showing life without hands and feet – the price she paid after developing sepsis.
'It's not realistic': Former PM Chretien thinks Trump will back off trade war
Former prime minister Jean Chretien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.
Heroes in action: Strangers lift car to rescue a woman pinned underneath
A group of good Samaritans teamed up with law enforcement this week to save an elderly woman pinned underneath her car in Lawerence, Mass.