(Today’s Northumberland File Photo)
It seems the Town of Cobourg could be confused between the Emergency Care Establishment bylaw and the Ontario Fire Code.
On April 14, 2025 the Town of Cobourg issued a release stated they are working hard to ensure that individuals who find themselves in crisis and acquire accommodations from an Emergency Care Establishment (ECE) can “reasonably” expect that ECE services meet basic health and safety needs.
“Town of Cobourg Issues Orders Under Emergency Care Establishment By-law,” said the headline of the press release.
But what trumps the ECE is the Ontario Fire Code.
The release states that Cobourg Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) and Licensing Department issued an order on the operator of Transition House and property owner the County of Northumberland in order to gain compliance with applicable law and ensure the Fire Safety Plan is followed in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and By-law No.018-2024.
Let’s be clear, the MLE are overworked and most likely underpaid. Most times they have to do what could be described as the “dirty work.”
Parking tickets, by-law enforcement and making sure buildings and codes are up to date are paramount. And they do a great job at it and likely rarely are welcomed or thanked for the job they do.
The fire department enforces fire regulations under the Ontario Fire Code.
MLE checked 310/Transition House recently and it was determined a number of people were actually sleeping and not resting.
Fire Chief Ellard Beaven is quoted in the release as stating, “Section 2.1.2.2 of the Fire Code states that no person shall use a building or part thereof in a manner that constitutes an undue fire hazard. Sleeping in a non-designated area such as the warming room creates potential fire and life safety risks that are not accounted for in the buildings approved fire safety measures.”
But by saying that statement it raises the question – what was happening before when the warming centre was at St. Peter’s Church for the last few years, and prior to that St. Andrew’s Church.
Originally a number of people were staying at the bus terminal on Albert Street during the winter, but were evicted on November 21, 2022.
A homeless advocate along with help from St. Andrew’s Church opened up an overnight warming centre.
After that, the warming hub was located at St. Peter’s Church for a number of years before it was located to its current location at 310 Division Street/Transition House.
Today’s Northumberland was given a tour of the facility at St. Peters in October 2023.
During that time there were 20 recliners with blankets on the chairs.
At the time, it was stated the chairs/recliners were for “resting” and not sleeping, but it wasn’t uncommon for people to be nodding off.
Again, these were recliners – but where was the enforcement at that time?
And let’s be clear – we aren’t saying people should or shouldn’t be allowed to sleep in recliners, but if the Ontario Fire Code states that – where was the enforcement from fire officials?
It’s a given, this wasn’t the first time people had been sleeping in the recliners – even at the new Transition House on Division Street. By the photos at both St. Peter’s and Transition House they look extremely comfortable. Who wouldn’t nod off?
Today’s Northumberland reached out to the town for comment asking, why was sleeping allowed previously if it is against the Ontario Fire Code – but not now?
In a reply the town stated in the past three years, the town addressed a “few” enforcement matters.
One was at St. Andrew’s Church when there was a warming room and mattresses had been brought in for overnight use, contrary to the intended and approved use of the facility.
The Chief Fire Official, directed the removal of the mattresses “immediately.”
Since then, mattresses have been replaced with recliners but there has been little to no enforcement even though as the Fire Chief states, “Sleeping in a non-designated area such as the warming room creates potential fire and life safety risks that are not accounted for in the buildings approved fire safety measures.”
So again, why now?
It would be hard for anyone to stay awake during long nights sitting in a comfortable recliner.
If the recliners have been used for at least two years with no real issues or enforcement by fire officials, it’s hard to blame the County on this one.
County officials told Today’s Northumberland the recliners were purchased at a total cost of $6,860.80.
The recliners (armchairs) are being stored while the County and Transition House engage further with By-law and Fire about possible alternative remedies. Northumberland County hopes to be able to restore armchairs in the future to ensure a comfortable drop in space for people seeking rest and safety from the elements.
Since the recliners have been removed from the warming hub a number of people that typically use the facility have been back on the streets.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
