THUNDER BAY – Monday’s meeting saw most councillors attend in person at city hall, a noticeable change after months of COVID-19 restrictions that left most connecting from home by video.
The body tackled numerous issues in a meeting that lasted well past 1 a.m., with a decision on the controversial proposed multi-use indoor turf facility generating several hours of intense debate.
Indoor turf facility
Council decided on a 9-4 vote to move forward with building a multi-use indoor turf facility that will accommodate soccer, ultimate frisbee, football, and more. The project’s ultimate cost could far exceed its $33.6 estimate, with the CEDC warning costs could reach $48 million or more.
Councillors bucked a recommendation to delay the decision from city administration, as well as survey results showing most respondents didn’t support the project at this time. However, proponents said the facility met a desperate need for indoor recreation in the city.
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Conflict of interest
Councillor Albert Aiello said he accepted the municipal integrity commissioner’s report finding him in a conflict of interest over 2020 budget votes. However, he called the idea he had been in conflict “a stretch.”
The city’s interim commissioner made the finding related to votes on removing $50,000 from the Thunder Bay Public Library’s capital budget, in order to add it to the Community, Youth & Cultural Fund.
The Thunder Bay Boys & Girls Club, where Aiello is the executive director, stood to gain in future from any expansion to the fund, the commissioner found. However, he added Aiello’s interest was only indirect and believed the councillor had been “well intentioned.”
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Free masks program approved
Council approved a $37,500 program offering free disposable masks for those with limited income. The initiative is intended to ensure vulnerable groups are still able to access goods and services, with a mandatory mask order in place for enclosed public locations.
The program is partially funded with $10,000 from the Canadian Medical Association to support vulnerable populations through the pandemic (the city received a total of $44,000 from the CMA).
Inquest report
Councillors approved the city’s fourth annual report responding to the 2016 inquest into the deaths of Indigenous youth in the city.
Of 31 recommendations involving the city, the report stated 26 were implemented (or had already been in place when recommendations were made). Another four had content or intent in place and were in progress, while one was in progress but on hold due to COVID-19.
Highlights included an upcoming public education campaign on racially-motivated crimes against Indigenous people and a revised, mandatory six-hour Indigenous Cultural Awareness training for city staff.
The city budgeted $120,000 for its response to the inquest in 2020.
City to look at harm reduction strategies
Council wasn’t quite ready to get behind Coun. Aldo Ruberto’s push for the city to consider a package of bold harm reduction responses to Thunder Bay’s growing drug crisis. Those included adding more safe injection sites, a safe supply program, and lobbying for the decriminalization of simple possession of hard drugs.
Instead, they passed a motion from Coun. Mark Bentz referring the package to the city’s drug strategy implementation panel, crime reduction council, and police services board. The city will report back with those groups’ feedback before the end of the year.
Several councillors said they were ready for bold proposals like those Ruberto advocated - but wanted to ensure they had all the information, and community groups on board, before proceeding.
Icebreaker would boost economy
Mayor Bill Mauro has added his name alongside those of the mayors of Hamilton and St. Catharines to support a bid from Heddle and Seaspan shipyards to build a federal icebreaker.
“There is an opportunity for [employment] to be greatly increased,” at Heddle’s Thunder Bay yard if they receive the contract, Mauro said.
