THUNDER BAY – Mayor Bill Mauro said he’s considered the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in Thunder Bay, but said there are reasons he hasn't done it yet.
Thunder Bay is not alone, said Mauro on Tuesday night pointing out that about 200 other communities in Ontario haven’t declared states of emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to a question posed to him during a virtual town hall, Mauro said he’s leaning more and more toward making that call. The move would allow the city a great deal more latitude when it comes to redeploying staff from one department to another as needed while COVID-19 staffing levels are in place.
This was made possible by a recent public order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Without the declaration, the city’s hands would remain tied.
The city earlier this month laid off about one-third of its staff, a decision that affected about 800 employees once city facilities and offices were closed because of the coronavirus.
Mauro suggested he was quietly being pushed by the province to join about 240 other communities and an additional 60 First Nation communities in declaring a state of emergency.
“We had a call about this today. The advice to me as mayor was that I should give consideration to declaring a state of emergency. Understanding the gravity of this, it would not be a power that management would use ruthlessly,” Mauro said.
“Obviously they would do it in conjunction with and through conversation with the bargaining agents. You would have to give them notice before you did some of this work. You would have to have people trained properly in the areas they were redeployed to.”
Under currently negotiated collective bargaining agreements, the municipality would not be allowed to move staff from department to department. Mauro said even if he does declare an emergency, staff being moved would not have to worry about being paid less than their already existing contract requires.
“It’s something that I’m considering now and will probably make a decision in the near term,” Mauro said, adding while he can take input, he gets the final say under provincial legislation.
“Ultimately it would be that of me as mayor to make.”
Mauro said the declaration would also allow the city to use volunteers as needed and they would qualify for WSIB coverage through the City of Thunder Bay.
Beyond that, it sends a message to the community – although it’s not one most residents necessarily need at this point in time.
“There is the symbolic value of making a declaration,” Mauro said. “But I think the people of Thunder Bay understand the seriousness of the situation that we’re in right now.”
