Kingston council OK’s conditions for continued care hub funding [Video]

City councillors in Kingston, Ont., have voted overwhelmingly in favour of requiring the city’s Integrated Care Hub (ICH) to come up with a safety plan and create a community consultation group in order to continue receiving municipal funding.

Councillors approved the motion to attach conditions to the $500,000 the ICH collects annually by a tally of 12-1 during Tuesday night’s meeting.

“We have to recognize that these services are essential, that they save lives. We also have to recognize that there has been a negative impact on the community there,” said King’s Town representative Greg Ridge, who brought the motion before council.

“This is not about punishing the ICH, this is not about punishing the staff, this is not about punishing the people using these services. This is about trying to help everybody.”

The motion recognizes the important role the site at the corner of Montreal and Rideau streets plays …