A city councillor is forging ahead with his proposed by-law to shatter the drug trade in Thunder Bay.
Aldo Ruberto has rewritten it without the word “loitering”, which will be presented at tonight’s city council meeting.
“People think of loitering, they think of a bunch of people standing on a spot, doing nothing, and the police are going to come, and push them along. But if they’re doing nothing and not bothering anyone, we don’t want to touch those people,” explains Ruberto.
He says a big part is establishing a connection with those struggling with addiction, “Build up a relationship where they trust you, and from that help these people get away from the addiction, and get them housing, and education.”
The At-large councillor adds he has been talking to some of his council colleagues such as Kristen Oliver, as well as Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox, and Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins. He’s also going to the federal level, to MPs Patty Hajdu and Marcus Powlowski, to provide funding for housing and other services, which he says will take time.
“Even if we get the funding today, for more housing and addiction services, it will take months, if not years, to get these things implemented,” says the councillor.
Ruberto is also repeating the intent is to hammer drug dealers trying to make a sale on city streets, and not innocent by-standers. By-law officers are needed to help police who are busy dealing with known drug houses.
Even though he keeps repeating the intent of the by-law, he says he gets angry when people take what he says and twist it to suit their own agenda. The At-large councillor points out for those who want to constantly criticize to actually get involved and help. On that note, Ruberto adds there are many people in this city looking to help and make a difference.
He adds the intent of Kenora’s anti-loitering by-law, recently rejected by its city council, is to address the homeless issue, while Thunder Bay’s goal is to hit the drug trade.
