Gateway & Nick's Place - North Bay, Ontario

Beverly M.

While partaking in an Experiences Canada Exchange program, my teen met some wonderful North Bay youth when they came to stay in Grande Prairie, AB for a week. My teen was looking forward to going to North Bay (having not ever been east of Alberta) and exploring while building on the friendships that had started. Unbeknownst to us, Karrie (the North Bay organizer) had changed their mind and no longer wanted to participate in the exchange and reached out to Experiences Canada to cancel. As Karrie had already taken part in the Grande Prairie part of the exchange (where all food and activities were provided for our North Bay guests), they were told that they were responsible for hosting the Grande Prairie youth and their leaders. Upon their arrival, the GP Leaders noted health issues with dust and allergens and in the art space and brought their concerns to Karrie where they were met with raised voices, and intimidation. The rest of the week fell apart. The North Bay Leaders (Gateway and Nick's Place) refused to work with our group, forbid their youth and families from communicating with our leaders and youth and just created an extremely hostile and uncomfortable experience. We are genuinely so thankful for the few youth and their families that continued to reach out and support our youth while they were in unfamiliar surroundings and far (2890 kms) from home and their own families. As an active community volunteer and supporter I am appalled by the behaviour of Karrie and hope that other families and youth do not have to experience the distress she subjected the GP youth to. The impression we were given of Gateway and Nick's Place was anything but inclusive, caring, or accepting.

Evan M.

I was part of a group exchange program sent from Alberta to learn about Ontario and make connections with the youth. The owner Karrie after realizing that it was her responsibility to host us was not happy and proceeded to scream at the youth and punch walls after being confronted about how people were having allergic reactions due to the amount of dust in her store. Karrie is unwell and shouldn’t be allowed around children. Her store is dusty and dirty and she provided unrefrigerated food that wasn’t safe to eat. If you care for your child’s safety do not send them to Gateway and Nick’s place.

Hunter L.

I was also another youth from Grande Prairie in the youth exchange to visit and learn about North Bay. On the first day , A lot of us we're having allergic reactions to the dust in her store. The owner, Karrie, took that to heart cause god forbid she host us and that we have needs. She yelled at my leaders and told us that we weren't welcome back and then went to punch the wall afterwards. The leaders from my group had to use their own money to fund for transportation, food, etc.. and the food she offered us was unrefrigerated and not safe to eat. On one of the days, we went hiking and when we were arriving, her and her youth were there and then left and Im not sure if this was a way to scare us but it was unexpecting for sure. Also, Im not saying her youth were bad, they were awesome! This was once an a life time trip took a turn and Im very disappointed about what happend. This could've been handled MUCH better.

Natasha L.

I also had a teen participate in the Experiences Canada Exchange Program and was so disappointed in the way our teens were treated. Karrie should be ashamed of herself.

Luke M.