Although North Bay City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of a new federal immigration pilot program, Councillor Mark King said his piece along the way before reluctantly voting in favour.
See related: Chamber seeks council's support of new local immigration program
Council’s support of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce’s application during Tuesday's regular meeting represents a "pre-commitment to the 2025 Budget of $12,500," according to the report generated by the City of North Bay's Economic Development recommending the move.
It was this motion, endorsing the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce's Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) application, that drew King's ire.
"This issue is divisive, there is no question. I have some major concerns," King told his colleagues in leading the discussion.
King arrived prepared. He cited Ontario Medical Association statistics, including the fact there are 2.3 million people without a family doctor in Ontario and the number is expected to double over the next two years. King noted the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie dropped 10,000 patients from its roster earlier this year. He stated one in six doctors are expected to retire over the next two years.
"Can we support more people in the province of Ontario — and North Bay, for that matter?" he asked.
Immigration and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced the RCIP pilot project to replace the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). In 2019, in a joint Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development venture, North Bay was selected as one of 11 communities in Canada to host the RNIP pilot program. With the launch of the new program, the same local organizations are again teaming up to apply to serve as the host of one of the 15 national RCIPs outside of Quebec.
"I recognize there is a shortage of workers. We've listened to that for a number of years," King continued. "It's now in crisis mode when it comes to doctors and the health care system. Bringing more people into the community, what is the overall impact and how do we find a way around this situation? It's not that I don't want to support the resolution but it's absolutely incumbent upon FedNor to start to answer these questions that are circulating in northern Ontario."
Interested communities must submit a complete pilot program plan, and confirmation of funding by July 2 in order to be considered. Last month, the IRCC launched details of the community application process. Economic Development reports its staff has been working with the North Bay District Chamber of Commerce to explore and develop a submission to host a new five-year pilot.
"My position in DNSSAB has certainly given me the experience to understand the housing shortage that we're now facing in our communities," King continued. "How do we get around these problems and what are the answers to them? I almost feel as though we've put the horse before the cart in this circumstance."
Council members took turns defending the immigration program, citing the previous health care experience of some of the newcomers, the effect on the historically stagnant population, the economic impact and partnership with Canadore College and Nipissing University, and NOSM University's mandate to train doctors who will practice in the north.
"Yes, there are challenges on housing and doctors," acknowledged Coun. Mac Bain. "There are challenges like that across the north, across Ontario, and across Canada. It's not unique just to North Bay."
King responded, "The federal government, through FedNor, has not met the demands of the municipalities and of social service agencies. It's been unbelievably frustrating to watch what's going on. And, unless we stand up and say, 'Look it. If you want more immigration, if you want to bring more people to these communities, you need to step up to the table and figure out how we provide housing. How we provide doctors.' Quite frankly, the situation is in a crisis mode, I believe, at this point."
Coun. Tanya Vrebosch looked across the chamber and said, "I hear where you're coming from, Councillor King. It's not a slight against the people we are inviting here. It's, 'How can we encourage people to move here if we have no place to live? If we can't provide you the services?' I understand what you're saying. Is it fair to them to invite them to a community where we don't have those things if we're struggling with the people that are here?
"Absolutely, we want to encourage people to come to North Bay. We absolutely need you here, but we need the resources to support people. Some may have taken what you said in a different context. I heard what you were saying and I was not offended at all."
