(File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

MEETING PREVIEW

Shelter bylaw, Highway 55 rehab on agenda for Meadow Lake council

Sep 8, 2025 | 2:13 PM

City council has a full plate tonight.

Among the items on its agenda are two major issues – one that could change how the city supports its homeless population, and another that could determine how a key stretch of highway is rebuilt.

The first is a proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw that sets rules for temporary emergency shelters.

The bylaw was first amended in 2022 to allow the Home Plate Shelter Coalition Corp. to open in the downtown mixed-use zone, but with strict conditions such as limiting operation to six months and overnight use only.

Administration says the restrictions have been “overly restrictive” and work against the Homeplate Coalition’s goal of helping people regain stability and move beyond needing shelter support.

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Ferland earns Grey Cup ring

'A wonderful human being': High school coach thrilled Logan Ferland is a Grey Cup champion

Nov 17, 2025

The amendment would permit the shelter to run year-round and offer daytime services, such as showers and laundry, as well as provide a safe space during the day.

“In addition, provision of a safe warm space in daytime will reduce the instances of loitering in less desirable locations during cold weather,” administration noted in its report.

It would also move permit renewals from every six months to once a year, which staff note would result in a “slightly reduced workload for staff and council.” The change would also remove the requirement for a mandatory “lights out” time .

Should it get first reading, a public hearing on the proposed bylaw would be held Oct. 6.

Council will also decide whether to accept an invitation from the Homeplate Shelter Coalition to appoint a councillor to sit on its board – a step administration says would “strengthen communication and enhance support for the shelter’s community-focused initiatives.”

Urban Highway Connector Program (UHCP)

Council is also expected to revisit whether to sign onto a provincial cost-sharing agreement through the Urban Highway Connector Program, which funds the cost of repairing provincial highways that pass through cities and towns.

The agreement under discussion covers a $1.5-million rehabilitation of Highway 55, with the Ministry of Highways paying the bulk of the cost and Meadow Lake responsible for about 30 per cent.

A proposal to approve the deal in principle was defeated at council’s Aug. 25 meeting, but councillors directed staff to bring back more information.

That includes comparing the cost of asphalt versus concrete, consulting with Flying Dust First Nation about the North of Railway development, and seeking input from provincial highway operations.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Co-op Centre Council Chamber and it is open to the public.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com