THUNDER BAY - Frustrations are mounting as a spot on the Thunder Bay’s Police Services Board remains empty.
The vacancy, discussed at Tuesday's monthly board meeting, has left members baffled with the inaction of the provincial government.
“The ministry has known for years when the vacancy was going to be available,” said board chair Jackie Dojak.
The board last December announced it would endorse a request by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, who advocated for an Indigenous member to be included on the board.
The position was vacated in April, but the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has yet to appoint a replacement.
Dojak said the board is “in the dark” when it comes to the process, adding they haven’t been given a timeline on when the vacancy will be filled.
“We’re being heavily criticized for not having an Indigenous person on the board,” said Dojak. “It’s not within our power or control.”
Dojak said in the meeting that multiple efforts have been made to reach out to the provincial government.
Community Safety Minister Marie-France Lalonde said the government is “continually working to ensure the vacancies are addressed in a timely manner and on a priority basis,” and they are “currently reviewing the appointments process,” in an email addressed to the Ontario Chief of Police.
Dojak said the delay is negatively affecting the conduct of business within the local board.
“Having an empty spot affects the kind of discussion that we have; they’re not informed in the same way as having a full five member board, and if that vacancy were filled by an Indigenous member.”
Board member Don Smith recommended writing a “strongly worded letter” to the ministry.
“It’s a priority in the city,” he said.
In other board news, the 2017 budget has recorded an unfavourable variance of $108,200, which amounts to about quarter of a percent.
Despite being in the red for the first time this year, acting Police Chief Sylvie Hauth said she isn't too concerned.
“In a $40-million budget, I would think (a quarter of a per cent) of our overall budget is insignificant,” Hauth said.
She added the overages were due mostly to vehicle maintenance, and fuel costs. Travel and training accounts are expected to be over budget due mostly to the visitations of Northern Communities, and out-of-town post-mortem examinations.
“The post-mortems involve sending an officer with the deceased, and that can take up to three days… we bear the burden of those additional costs.”
