There will be no going back on the provincial government's plan to move the social assistance office to the old Spee-dee Stationers building, social development and poverty reduction minister Shane Simpson confirmed this week.
While a date for the move has not yet been set, the "office will move to the new location," Simpson said in a statement.
"A healthy community includes supports and services for everyone, and our office is an important resource for some of the most vulnerable people in the province," he added. "As part of the community, we are also committed to being a good neighbour."
The provincial government has entered an agreement to purchase the building at 490 Brunswick St. The move was made because the lease for the office's current location at 1445 10th Ave. will not be renewed when it expires in early 2024.
In a 68-name petition, dated Feb. 7, Prince George and District Senior Citizens Activity Centre, which is located across the street at 425 Brunswick St., raised concerns about parking, foot traffic and safety.
However, a ministry spokesperson has said an information session was held on the same date and the representatives of the seniors centre did not attend. Simpson said he has received a letter from the organization.
Simpson also noted representatives from the City have also asked to meet with the ministry "and we look forward to engaging with them."
"We will continue to work with the community, including the seniors' centre to ensure that the needs of the neighbourhood are met," Simpson added.
Although her Fifth Avenue office is located just 100 metres to the east, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond said she only learned of the move from the seniors centre.
"Unfortunately, there has been no other contact with me despite the fact that I am a neighbour," Bond said.
Bond questioned the process by which the provincial government chose the site and suggested there was a lack of consultation with the public beforehand.
"Every community does need to have places where services can be provided to citizens who require them and I understand that - I have some first-hand experience having been in government," Bond said.
"The concern I have is that there could have been or should have been or still may be a requirement that there be some conversation with the people who are neighbours to that property.
"We are working to find ways strengthen and improve our downtown. A lot of work has been done from that perspective and I just think that if you're going to add a new service into an existing location, it's important to have the discussion before the decision is made."
