Whereas the homeless crisis is taking a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario;
And Whereas the homelessness crisis is the result of the underinvestment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments;
And Whereas homelessness requires a range of housing, social service and health solutions from government;
And Whereas homelessness is felt most at the level of local government and the residents that they serve;
And Whereas municipalities and District Social Administration Boards are doing their part, but do not have the resources, capacity or tools to address this complex challenge; and,
And Whereas leadership and urgent action is needed from the provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario.
Therefore Be It Resolved That the City of North Bay calls on the Provincial Government to urgently:
a. Acknowledge that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis;
b. Commit to ending homelessness in Ontario;
c. Work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and a broad range of community, health, Indigenous and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal.
And Further that a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; the Minister of Health, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM).
Record of Vote Upon the Request of Councillor Horsfield:
Yeas: Councillors Horsfield, Bain, Mayne, Inch, Mitchell, King, Mallah, Gardiner and Mayor Chirico.
Nays: Nil