in 2013 the provincial government announced the closing of the michener centre due to provincial budget constraints. the government intends to phase the centre out by gradually moving residents into other private or not-for-profit facilities on up to its scheduled completion and final closing date in april 2014. despite its history, the closing of michener centre has become very controversial in that current public perception of the centre is quite positive due to its more recent history of providing quality care for residents with very severe psychological and developmental needs.