THUNDER BAY – A group of advocates are calling on Thunder Bay’s municipal government to provide free face coverings for those with limited income.
A group of non-profit agencies warn that without assistance, vulnerable groups could face reduced access to goods and services with masks now mandatory in public indoor spaces, including businesses and city buses.
City council will debate a proposal to purchase over 75,000 masks on Monday, coming with a price tag of just under $40,000. City administration proposes drawing $10,000 of the sum from funds received from the Canadian Medical Association to support vulnerable populations through the pandemic (the city received a total of $44,000 from the CMA).
The proposal is championed by the United Way of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Community Foundation, and Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
There are an estimated 15,000 people living in poverty in Thunder Bay, notes a city report on the proposal. The requested 75,000 adult masks and 1,300 child masks are intended to provide a six to eight week supply based on that number.
Masks would be distributed through numerous social service agencies – the RFDA, Shelter House, Dew Drop Inn, Ontario Native Women’s Association, and many more – and city transit. Some groups, like the Salvation Army and Faye Peterson House, already have a supply of masks to give out to clients.
In the longer term, the United Way and Thunder Bay Community Foundation say they hope secure funding to distribute around 10,000 reusable masks to vulnerable individuals at no cost.
City council will debate the proposal on Monday evening.
