THUNDER BAY — A motion to direct city administration to develop criteria for allowable tent encampment areas in Thunder Bay was lost at Monday night’s city council meeting after a split vote and a failed amendment.
The initial proposal, introduced by Coun. Kristen Oliver, was intended to set clear guidelines for where tent encampments could be safely located as part of the city’s human rights-based community action plan.
During the debate, Coun. Rajni Agarwal moved to amend Oliver's motion by removing sections that would have delegated authority to administration to work with "agency partners and individuals living in encampments" to select locations once overall criteria was approved, and mandated staff continue to update council and share information with the public. Agarwal argued that decision-making should remain with council until public consultation is complete.
“This is such a sensitive topic," she said. "If the administration chooses areas that the public doesn’t want, then what? We get all the calls.”
Agarwal also talked about stressing the need for robust engagement with residents, businesses, service providers and people with lived experience of homelessness before moving forward.
Councillors voted a 5–5 tie on Agarwal's amendment, resulting in a loss.
During the discussion, Coun. Brian Hamilton voiced skepticism about council’s ability to make effective policy on encampments.
“The public has about zero public confidence in this body to make good decisions around public policy on homeless encampments,” Hamilton said. “I certainly don’t have the confidence that this body can make these very tough decisions that are absolutely dependent on having good data and good information."
"We get swayed easily by emotions, we get swayed easily by the politics of it.”
His comments drew a sharp response from Coun. Mark Bentz.
“To have a member speak that he has zero confidence in this body … I take great offence at that," he said. "This is a body duly elected, and as councillors, our code of ethics states that we get on board with (council decisions).”
When Oliver's original motion returned to the floor, it also ended in a 5–5 tie and was lost. Hamilton noted three councillors were absent from the meeting.
“This could be a very different conversation when it comes back — in a couple of weeks — when it comes up for ratification,” Hamilton said.
