The capital city and provincial government have called a joint news conference at Confederation Building this afternoon at 1:00 p.m.

Four provincial ministers, Paul Pike, John Abbott, John Hogan and Tom Osborne will be joined by St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen to address the current situation involving the tent encampment at Colonial Building and access to bathroom facilities.

The city closed the public washrooms in nearby Bannerman Park due to damage and health and safety concerns for staff and the public at large.

The mayor pressed on the provincial government to provide portable toilets at the site on the grounds of Colonial Building, but as of yesterday, the province had refused.

Mayor Breen urged that the city and province work together to address the situation.