Homeless encampment motion 'urgently' calls for gov't action

At its Tuesday, Aug. 13 regular meeting, North Bay City Council will discuss and vote on a motion "urgently" calling for provincial and federal leadership to address the "growing crisis of homelessness encampments in communities across Ontario."

Moved for consideration locally by Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield and seconded by Coun. Mark King, the motion originated with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), which on behalf of its municipal members, is advocating for action from the upper levels of government. Both are members of AMO and both serve on the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board — King is the Board Chair.

"There is a mental health and addictions crisis that is contributing to the homelessness challenges we are experiencing in North Bay," Horsfield tells BayToday. "People with poor mental health are more vulnerable. Some gaps lead to inconsistent access to mental health and addiction services that many individuals require. The province has identified a road map to address this but progress has been slow in meeting the needs of these individuals and we are seeing it play out right in front of us.

"To see strong social and economic prosperity in North Bay and beyond, the provincial and federal governments need to play a leadership role in solving the root causes of homelessness."

See related: Will public consultation quiet 'homeless hub' hubbub?

The motion cites a recently released AMO policy paper entitled Homeless Encampments in Ontario: A Municipal Perspective which details the state of this crisis and the evidence-based actions that must be taken. "Municipal governments must implement solutions that are effective, appropriate, feasible, practical, and in compliance with Ontario and Canadian law including but not limited to human rights legislation," per the report.

See also: Could a homeless encampment set up in a city park?

Among the paper's notable points: 

"While provincial and federal action is urgently required, municipal governments are responding to immediate needs in their community that cannot be delayed by insufficient support from other orders of government.

"An evolving legal landscape and the proliferation of guidance from different sources about how municipalities should respond to homeless encampments can create challenges for municipalities and service partners trying to assess options.

"Individuals do not have a right to camp anywhere they choose on public lands, at any time. Nor do those who decline appropriate alternative shelter options have a right to continue to reside in encampments."

See the full report: Homeless Encampments in Ontario: A Municipal Perspective

The motion states, "Municipal governments are at the front lines of the homelessness crisis without the resources or tools to support our residents and communities," and asks for governments to "work collaboratively with each other and municipalities to address these complex issues that require comprehensive responses from all orders of government working together."

Horsfield agrees and warns, "If the conditions that cause homelessness don’t change, there are no solutions we can implement at a municipal level that will solve it. The scope and action needed to adequately address homelessness and encampments far exceeds the purview and fiscal capacity of the City of North Bay."

See: King says homeless encampment at a public beach will not happen

If passed, the resulting resolution will be copied and shared with Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Ford, MP Anthony Rota, MP Sean Fraser, MPP Victor Fedeli, MPP Calandra, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Rural Ontario Municipal Association, and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.

See: Letter: Forcibly removing homeless encampment residents without judicial oversight both unethical and unconstitutional

The findings of the report are further aligned with Horsfield's vision of what needs to be done to improve living conditions for those who continue to struggle.

"If we want to see meaningful action to address the root causes of encampments and homelessness, we need the provincial government to address income insecurity, rent stabilization, food bank usage, ODSP and OW rates, and transform social assistance programs to better support people to help them get back on their feet and not keep them in the limbo of poverty. 

"The DNSSAB and NDHC provide several hundred deeply affordable housing units, but it is not enough. Property taxpayers, including seniors and those on fixed incomes, cannot continue to support the level of investment that is needed to address the growing demand."