THUNDER BAY – Concerns around transparency were top-of-mind as city staff held an information session for Intercity-area business owners about the temporary shelter village on the Hillyard lands.
The site is in the city's McKellar Ward. Its councillor, Brian Hamilton and at-large councillor Kasey Etreni both attended the information session at the Moose Hall on Thursday morning.
“I think the premise was that the Fort William BIA was (previously) afforded an audience with staff to outline the project," Hamilton told Newswatch in an interview about why Thursday's session was held, adding that it was a non-political event. "I think administration's feeling was that the same opportunity should be afforded to business areas here, given it's a much wider catchment area of businesses.”
According to Stacey Levanen, the city's engagement and public information specialist, a formal letter was sent advising businesses within a 300-metre radius of the meeting.
Fifty-five business owners attended and voiced their concerns about council's hasty decision to build a temporary shelter village at 879 Alloy Place without public consultation.
“The resounding feeling and the sentiment here, at this particular meeting, was just around transparency and the process," Hamilton said. "Businesses felt that they have not had an opportunity to engage city council with some of their concerns, and they feel a bit slighted that they were not afforded the same opportunity as other sites during the selection process."
Hamilton added that administration “is doing their best to implement a city council decision” and consult with residents and businesses in the area.
He said the largest question voiced by businesses was “how city council came to this decision so quickly,” without consulting with area residents and businesses first.
“Ultimately city council — and I can't speak for the rest of the council — but many of us were actually concerned, mostly, that the project be viable, successful, (and) come within budget and make sure that it captures the objectives that we want to do, and ultimately have the best outcomes and the support for the individuals that we're looking to serve,” Hamilton said.
“How we ended up with this site, to be honest, I'm not sure," he continued. "It was not a recommended site, so I don't think it was really a viable option until it was, and it happened within about an hour at a city council meeting."
"Administration, to their credit, is trying to scramble to make sure that the business community, for sure, are heard.”
Hamilton said councillors cannot outwardly state they are opposed to the site once council’s decision is made due to the municipal code of conduct rules.
“We're here to be accountable for that decision, even though it wasn't unanimous at council, and to make sure that the businesses know that they're supported and they have allies, certainly political allies, at city hall,” Hamilton said.
Both Etreni and Hamilton argued against the Hillyard site during the July 21 debate.
Ultimately, Hamilton voted against the site while Etreni voted in favour, saying she felt backed into a corner.
At that meeting, she suggested referring the site back to administration to do more consultation, but city staff advised council against that, saying any more delays in the project would risk external funding from the province, the ongoing request for proposal process and favourable weather for construction.
Hamilton said he's encouraging members of the public to contact their councillor and “talk about the decision” as soon as possible.
“This project is well underway, and construction is probably slated to happen within weeks, not months,” he said.
Work to build the shelter village is expected to begin later this summer. To meet provincial funding requirements, at least 40 units must be operational by Dec. 15, 2025, with all 80 completed by Feb. 27, 2026.
