The Cornwall Police Service is raising concerns about a plan to put a 30-unit bridge housing site at its east-end station in Cornwall, Ontario. Chief Shawna Spowart told the police board on March 5, 2026, that the property at 330 Montreal Road might be too small to handle both police work and the new housing cabins.
The City of Cornwall is looking at using the land to set up 30 sleeper cabins as temporary housing to help people who do not have a place to live. While the chief said she does not see a greater safety risk at this spot compared to other areas, she is worried about how the station will function.
The east-end station is currently used for several public services, including a collision reporting centre and a safe zone for parents to exchange children for visits. It also has a spot for people to safely trade items they bought online and a community food fridge run by the Agapè Centre.
Chief Spowart noted that there is no extra room at the main police headquarters on Pitt Street to move these services back. If the city chooses the Montreal Road location, the police department may need more money from the city to find a new space for their current operations.
Amanda Brisson, the chairperson of the police board, also questioned how long the housing would stay at the site and how it might affect police buildings in the future. Cornwall City Council will make the final decision on where the cabins will go, with a property at 244 Saunders Drive also being considered.
