A Belleville councillor questioned the proposed city grant to the Grace Inn Shelter during Tuesday night’s city council meeting, pointing to a controversy over “inclusivity.”
Councillor Chris Malette told council he is concerned that, on social media, the former executive director Kelly Oribine called into question whether the shelter board believed in it.
Malette said the city had just come through Pride Week and needs to be assured this value is in place at the shelter board.
Council voted to withhold the proposed $38,000 grant until the grant committee hears from both the former director and the shelter board.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk emphasized it’s essential the shelter be operating at the end of the year since the city had to pay $18,000 for warming centres last year and the grant should go toward those centres, if the shelter isn’t open.
Panciuk added that if he believed everything that was said about him on social media he wouldn’t be at council.
