Thunder Bay mayor and others in Northern Ontario are supporting a campaign to manage homelessness.
They are calling for immediate action from the Ontario government to address the escalating homelessness crisis.
The Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors representing Thunder Bay, Greater Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie have united in support of the campaign, called, ‘Solve the Crisis’.
The campaign acknowledges municipalities across the North are struggling to manage homelessness without adequate support from higher levels of government.
Several key actions include:
- Appointing a responsible ministry and minister with proper funding and powers to address the full spectrum of housing needs.
- Have new minister strike a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, healthcare, first responders, community services and tourism to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan.
- Provide municipalities with resources to transition encampments to more appropriate supports.
- Commit to funding these individual’s needs.
- Invest in 24/7 Community Hubs and Crisis Centers to relieve pressure on emergency centers and first responders.
Mayor of Rainy River, Debbie Ewald, says they are committed to addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable residents.
