THUNDER BAY – In a meeting dominated by questions over the municipal government’s role in tackling poverty and inequality, Thunder Bay’s city council voted to study the possibility of making public transit free and called on the federal government to implement a basic income Monday.
Councillors Mark Bentz, Trevor Giertuga, and Brian Hamilton, who is on a leave of absence, were not present for the meeting.
City to consider making public transit free
Councillors voted unanimously to study the possibility of eliminating bus fares by 2023, after hearing a proposal presented by Poverty Free Thunder Bay and backed by numerous local organizations.
While several councillors expressed their support for the idea in principle, they were skeptical it could be achieved on such a short timeline without provincial or federal support.
Some suggested the city should pitch the idea to upper levels of government as a pilot project. City administration will report back to council on the issue in the new year.
Council eyes ICIP funding for trail improvements
Council endorsed a plan to use $1.6 million in federal COVID-19 infrastructure funding to improve the city’s trail network.
If approved by the province, the plan would see nearly five kilometres added to the city’s waterfront trail network – though most of that would simply involve adding signage along existing roadways.
City of Thunder Bay calls for federal basic income
Councillors voted unanimously to call on the federal government to implement a basic income program.
Mayor Bill Mauro called the policy the closest thing to a silver bullet in the fight to eliminate poverty, while several councillors argued the policy would save governments money in the long run by lessening the burden on social assistance and the health system.
A letter advocating for a basic income will go to Prime Minister Trudeau, who recently stated his government was not considering the policy.
Bus shields delayed over drivers’ COVID-19 concerns
The installation of shields meant to protect Thunder Bay Transit drivers from assaults could be delayed into 2022 due to COVID-19.
Drivers have expressed concerns the new shields might be less effective in shielding them from infection than the temporary barriers the city put up for COVID-19 purposes.
General manager of community services Kelly Robertson told Tbnewswatch design work on the shields was also complicated by the city’s plan to introduce electronic payment cards, which could change the layout in the driver area of city buses.
Food Strategy seeks increased funding
The Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy requested an increase in municipal funding Monday, saying the COVID-19 pandemic called for a larger vision to combat food insecurity.
The city currently provides $35,000 of the organization’s roughly $75,000 annual budget. Surrounding municipalities also support the strategy.
Coordinator Karen Kerk told councillors boosting Thunder Bay’s contribution to $50,000 would allow them to hire additional staff to create a community emergency food security plan, and bolster work such as a farmland mapping initiative.
City council did not vote on the proposed increase Monday, but could consider it as part of the 2021 budget process or at future meetings.
