Public Open Meeting - Monday, November 17th - Third Avenue Shelter

The Town of Smithers acknowledges that there are strong feelings in the community about the temporary winter shelter at the former Fabrications building.

❓To help answer community questions, BC Housing and the Bulkley Valley Harm Reduction Society have agreed to participate in a public meeting on :
📅Monday, November 17, at 6:00 pm
📍4035 Walnut Drive. 

And there’s been some misinformation circulating, so we’d like to share a few key facts:

The Bulkley Valley Harm Reduction Society, with support from BC Housing, is operating this temporary winter shelter, not the Town of Smithers. The Town’s role is limited to reviewing the building permit to ensure the space meets all safety and building requirements.

The building is located in the C1 (Downtown Commercial) zone, where “Rescue Mission” is a permitted use. Under the Zoning Bylaw, a rescue mission is defined as a building that provides temporary accommodations, shelter, meals, or related services to individuals who do not have a fixed or adequate nighttime residence. Because this use is permitted, the Town cannot deny a building permit or business license if the proposal meets all applicable zoning, building, and safety regulations.

To clarify further:
• The shelter is not a safe supply facility—that rumour is false.
• It is a temporary winter shelter only, operating until March 31, 2026, not a permanent site.
• The shelter will have 8 beds, with 2 staff members on-site at all times, and a maximum occupancy of 10 people under the Building and Fire Codes.
• The contracted security team currently patrolling near the Temporary Overnight Sheltering Area will expand patrols to include this area during the shelter’s operation.
• Temporary winter shelters like this operate in many BC communities each year as part of emergency cold weather response efforts.

If you’d like to share your feedback with Mayor and Council, please send a letter by Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 p.m. Letters can be:
• Hand-delivered to Town Hall (1027 Aldous Street), or
• Emailed to general@smithers.ca (addressed to Mayor and Council).
We understand that people have concerns about the location, and we encourage open, respectful dialogue. It’s important that we continue to work together —and not against each other — as we find ways to support the safety and well-being of everyone in Smithers.