There appears to be a disturbing trend in Northwestern Ontario.
On Monday, Regional Food Distribution Association executive director Volker Kromm said new food-bank users were up 47 per cent in 2014.
It suggests more and more people don’t have enough to eat and can’t afford to make ends meet.
Often users are going from food bank to food bank to ensure they have enough food on the table.
Coincidentally, later that evening Mayor Keith Hobbs gave his inaugural address.
Crime and racism, infrastructure, the James Street Swing Bridge and the proposed event centre all factored highly in Hobbs’ remarks.
Hobbs said the city is positioning itself for an economic turnaround, with new businesses opening on a frequent basis.
The city is on solid footing, the mayor added, noting the next four years will bring its share of challenges too.
Challenge No. 1 is making sure the people who live here have enough to eat.
Enticing businesses to make Thunder Bay home is a start, but the mayor and council must take a long hard look at poverty and consider making tough decisions to find ways to reduce property taxes and make this city more affordable for everyone.
