Homelessness isn't a crime.

Homelessness has been getting a lot of attention in this election, and it should. We see the tents, the addiction, mental-health struggles and poverty on our streets. We also hear from residents who are frustrated and worried about what is happening in their own neighbourhoods.

But we need to be careful about pretending there is a simple answer.

This isn’t just a Thunder Bay problem. Communities across Ontario and Canada are struggling with the same thing, and no mayor or councillor is going to fix it overnight with a motion, a bylaw or an election promise.

I support Thunder Bay’s human-rights-based approach. That doesn’t mean accepting crime in the open, ignoring neighbourhood safety or saying anything goes in our parks and public spaces. It means recognizing that being homeless isn’t a crime and moving someone and their tent down the street doesn’t solve anything.

I also support the Temporary Shelter Village because, right now, we need somewhere safer for people to go. It isn’t permanent housing and it shouldn’t be treated as the final answer. The goal has to be moving people from the street toward stability, supports and ultimately a permanent place to live.  Having said that, I have strong opinions of the status of that project, how long it took to approve and the politics that were played in the entire process.   Decisions need to be made with data, and facts.  Not with emotion.  That's a post for another day. 

We need the province, federal government, TBDSSAB, Indigenous organizations, housing providers, mental-health and addiction services and community agencies at the same table. City Council has a role, but it cannot do this alone.  One vote, one bylaw, one motion is not going to make it go away.  And neither is one single candidate.  Use the data available, find solutions from other communities, and use the professionals to lead the conversation on what the city's roll is.  Unless you have lived experience, you're not an expert.  

Residents deserve safe neighbourhoods and public spaces.

People living without a home deserve dignity and a realistic path forward. 

I think it's the job of an effective council, to find a way to serve both.