TIMMINS – Despite concerns about locating a proposed transitional housing site near the city’s main landfill, the project is moving to the next step.
The Cochrane District Social Services Board (CDSB) agreed Thursday (April 24) to issue requests for proposals for the housing, outreach, protection and engagement (HOPE) initiative. The board’s concerns will also be formally shared with the City of Timmins.
The HOPE initiative aims to create 40 temporary shelter spaces in a mining camp-style setup. Timmins has committed to providing municipally owned land for the project.
The preferred Pine Street South property has emerged as a flashpoint for controversy. It’s about six kilometres from downtown, lacks key infrastructure and is across from the Deloro Landfill.
CDSB’s director of community development and services Christine Heavens said Indigenous service providers have raised concerns about offering culturally appropriate care in a remote location that is so symbolically charged.
“We’ve heard feedback that the community engagement consultation around the site location did not effectively engage Indigenous peoples,” she said.
Safety and access were also flagged as major issues. The site has no lighting, sidewalks, or city transportation. There are concerns about bear encounters and how residents will access downtown services like meals and mental health supports.
“I think what staff is raising here is that we have some concerns that no matter what comes back through the RFP, it might not meet the expectations,” said Timmins Mayor and CDSB chair Michelle Boileau.
The board’s resolution allows the RFPs for both structures and service providers to move forward.
Discussion of the encampment dominated Thursday’s meeting, lasting about 40 minutes and involving several heated interventions. Many board members expressed frustration with the location.
“I’ll be one of the first to protest with a big sign,” said Timmins Coun. Cory Robin. “I have no intention of ever voting to say, ‘Let’s put all the Indigenous people at the dump.’”
He said several Indigenous service providers told him they would not participate in the project if it moves ahead at the Pine Street South site. The potential fallout, he warned, includes higher costs, reduced service capacity, and loss of critical partnerships.
“If this is the only location we can do it, just walk away,” he said.
Other board members echoed his concerns.
“The idea of a dump site, just the idea of it, is not good,” said Kapuskasing Mayor Dave Plourde.
“I think the damage is done. I think Timmins needs to find an alternate spot with consultation with the Indigenous people involved. That’s our only out.”
Boileau highlighted the board’s responsibility in light of growing public scrutiny.
“We have to recognize that CDSB is wearing this one for now, and likely will for a while,” she said. “We want to make sure that the directors are comfortable with the project.”
Timmins Coun. Lorne Feldman said the situation is “a delicate balancing act.”
“It’s not an easy decision,” he said. “We have to take all stakeholders and all individuals’ concerns into our decision. I appreciate that we’re working hard to give the right direction.”
Hearst Mayor Roger Sigouin requested a site visit, which the board agreed to schedule ahead of its next meeting on May 15.
“I don’t think it would make any difference at all,” said Plourde.
Smooth Rock Falls Mayor Patrick Roberts said there has to be an alternate location.
“Would you want to live next to a dump? That’s the question we need to ask ourselves,” he said.
“I just don’t think that’s the right thing to do. I mean, there’s got to be some other place to put this. Seriously.”
CDSB hopes to issue the RFPs in early May, with responses due by the end of the month. CDSB CAO Brian Marks said flexibility would be built into the RFP process in case a more suitable site is identified later.
By next winter, Marks said 40 more units are needed.
“Whether they’re at this location or someplace else, it comes down to saving lives in winter months … It’s not going to be culturally appropriate if it is at that location for all the reasons already stated by people much smarter than me.”
Heavens said they plan to have a report to the board in June.
“The feedback we’re getting is very notable, and it certainly can’t be ignored,” she said.