How can we work together on the mental health crisis in our downtowns?

Full Panel
Transcript

Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software.  Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.

Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript

Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject line

12:00:46 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Welcome everyone! We invite you to say hello in the chat before we get started. Tell us where you’re watching from!
12:01:23 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Please change your chat settings to “Everyone” so that everyone can read your comments.
12:01:38 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Amplify the conversation on social media! @canurb #citytalk
12:02:47 From Chloe Good to Everyone:
just confirming we are automatically muted? : )
12:03:32 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
We are recording today’s session and will share it online at canurb.org/citytalk-canada/
12:03:59 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
We have closed captioning enabled for today’s session. If you would like to turn it off, please click on the button at the bottom of your screen and disable
12:04:17 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
We hope this session is as interactive as possible, so please feel free to share comments, references, links or questions in the chat.
12:04:23 From Andrea Ellis Nsiah to Everyone:
Joining from Treaty 9- traditional land use area of Mattagami First Nation
12:04:25 From Blaire Prima to Everyone:
Hello from Saskatoon!
12:05:11 From Brian Rice to Everyone:
Hello from the Bloor-Yorkville BIA in Toronto.
12:05:16 From Robin McPherson to Everyone:
Hello from St. Catharines.
12:05:25 From Patricia Gray to Everyone:
Cowichan Housing Association board member,
12:05:36 From Kristina Craig to Everyone:
Good morning from Whitehorse Yukon
12:05:36 From Wendy Muckle to Everyone:
Hi Everyone Wendy Muckle from Ottawa
12:05:46 From Carole Fischer to Everyone:
Carole Fischer, City of Toronto, Volunteer advocate for Youth at Risk with Mental Health Disorders and fundraiser for provision for psychotherapy in non-institutional settings
12:05:51 From Yulia Pak to Everyone:
Hello from Annex in Toronto, Treaty 13 territory
12:05:51 From Kerri Martin to Everyone:
Hello from Regina!
12:05:51 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
Argyle BIA in London
12:05:54 From Anna Chrzaniecki to Everyone:
Hello from Brampton
12:06:03 From Reg Nalezyty to Everyone:
Hi from Thunder Bay
12:06:05 From Alex Doran to Everyone:
Vancouver here!
12:06:06 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Reminder for the chat to please change your chat settings to “Everyone” so that everyone can read your comments.
12:06:08 From Kelsey Santarossa to Everyone:
Hello from Windsor-Essex!
12:06:09 From Amber Livingstone to Everyone:
Hello from North Bay.
12:06:09 From Jill Collinson to Everyone:
Hello from Victoria
12:06:13 From Cassandra Alves to Everyone:
Joining from Downtown Yonge BIA, Toronto, treaty 13
12:06:15 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
Hello to Everyone
12:06:18 From Caitlynn Fairbarns to Everyone:
Hello from the Church-Wellesley Village BIA, Treaty 13 Territory!
12:06:20 From M. Alejandra Fajardo to Everyone:
Good afternoon! Very exited to for this CityTalk. Attending from Oshawa.
12:06:23 From Suzy Godefroy to Everyone:
Hello from Downtown Brampton!
12:06:23 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Please note that given the limited duration of these sessions, we are not able to answer to raised hands. Do you have specific questions for the panellists? Post them in the chat, and we’ll try to answer as many as possible.
12:06:29 From Leandro Santos to Everyone:
Hi, Leandro G. Santos from Toronto, Treaty 13
12:06:33 From Karen Stanton to Everyone:
Hello from Chilliwack BC
12:06:37 From Angela Evans to Everyone:
Hi from Vancouver – Collingwood BIA
12:06:47 From Dan Carter to Everyone:
good afternoon from the great city of Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter
12:07:02 From Sandra Severs to Everyone:
Greetings from Victoria, the territory of the L’kwungen speaking people, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
12:07:08 From Brent Kalinowski to Everyone:
Greetings everyone….Brent Kalinowski, City of North Bay, ON
12:07:16 From Jillian Hardie to Everyone:
Good Morning from Whitehorse Yukon.
12:07:19 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Amplify the conversation on social media! @canurb #citytalk
12:07:29 From Bobbi Deisinger to Everyone:
Hello from Sudbury Ontario!!!
12:07:31 From Johanna Botari to Everyone:
Hello from Waterloo, ON – unceded territory of the Haldiman tract and traditional land of several FN communities.
12:07:42 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Superintendent Howard Tran – Investigative Support Services, Vancouver Police Department (Vancouver, BC) Superintendent Tran joined the Vancouver Police Department in 1997 and has worked on a wide variety of assignments throughout his career, including the establishment of mental health treatment and outreach teams under the Youth Services Section. He has participated in a number of advisory councils related to mental health, addiction, and youth justice, most notably as the co-chair of “Project Link” – VPD-VCH Steering Committee on Mental Health, the Mayor’s Task Force on Mental Health and Addiction, the BC Alliance on Mental Health and Addiction, the Advisory Council to the BC Representative for Children and Youth, the Inter-Ministry Committee on Youth Justice, and the Douglas College Youth Justice Program Advisory Committee. He is the recipient of three Chief Constable’s Unit Citations, one Deputy Chief Constable Citation, and one Inspector’s Commendation.
12:07:53 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
@HowardTranVPD
12:08:01 From Amber Livingstone to Everyone:
Hello from Downtown North Bay & Waterfront.
12:08:15 From Celeste Kitsemetry to Everyone:
Greetings from Barrie, Ontario!
12:08:21 From Nathan Rogers to Everyone:
Hi from Halifax
12:08:25 From Luke Edwards to Everyone:
Good Afternoon everyone, Luke from London Ontario – London Public Library
12:08:35 From Wenda Bradley to Everyone:
Good Morning – Whitehorse, Canada – from the traditional land of the Kwanlin Dun and Taan Kwachin council
12:08:45 From Lenny Kishi to Everyone:
Hello from Musqueam Indian Band
12:09:01 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Please note that given the limited duration of these sessions, we are not able to answer to raised hands. Do you have specific questions for the panellists? Post them in the chat, and we’ll try to answer as many as possible.
12:09:14 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Responses to questions and additional resources will be provided in the chat by CUI staff.
12:09:17 From stephanie gonos to Everyone:
Toronto
12:09:32 From Andrea Betty to Everyone:
Hello from Penetanguishene the traditional and Treaty territory of the Anishinabek people and their ancestors, now known as the Williams Treaties First Nations territory
12:09:45 From Russ Disotell to Everyone:
Downtown Brockville BIA
12:10:19 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Dr. Andrew Bond – Medical Director, Inner City Health Associates (Toronto, ON) Dr. Andrew Bond is Medical Director of Inner City Health Associates, a group of 200 physicians and nurses offering specialized services to people living on the street and in shelters, encampments and precarious housing across Toronto. He is also a National Health Fellow at McMaster University, a lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and co-founder of the Canadian Network for the Health and Housing of People Experiencing Homelessness (CNH3). Dr. Bond is a national leader in health systems innovation with a focus on developing integrated health and social care models that drive population health equity with efficiency and impact. Dr. Bond completed his MD at the University of Ottawa, postgraduate specialty training in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and a Master of Health Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.
12:10:26 From Michael Anderson to Everyone:
Downtown Tkaronto
12:10:36 From Jennifer Roth to Everyone:
Excellent book on deinstitutionalization and homelessness – https://www.amazon.ca/Her-Name-Was-Margaret-Streets/dp/1989496326
12:11:09 From Jackie Gervais to Everyone:
Hello from Niagara Region, Ontario. ​​Niagara Region is situated on treaty land. This land is steeped in the rich history of the First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. There are many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The Regional Municipality of Niagara stands with all Indigenous peoples, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.
12:12:39 From Kim Huntley to Everyone:
Good afternoon everyone from Kim at Toronto Public Library, situated on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
12:13:57 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Al Wiebe – Homelessness Advocate and Peer and Community Engagement Leader (Winnipeg, MB) Al Wiebe is an advocate and community engagement leader, who has experienced homelessness first-hand. After losing a six-figure income as an advertising executive, Al faced mental health struggles and lived on the streets for a period of 28 months. Throughout this time, he survived multiple experiences of seeking out and failing to receive mental health support within the healthcare system. After a long recovery and lengthy struggles with the shelter and health care systems, Al now works 24/7 to improve the lives of the homeless and those in poverty. He engages with the Winnipeg police service and city council, and many organizations at the local, provincial and federal orders — including Make Poverty History Manitoba, the Lived Experience Circle, and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. Al hosts a radio show called “Of no fixed address”, showcasing spoken word focusing on the lived experiences of homelessness.
12:14:15 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
@AlWiebe3
12:16:06 From Kirsten Moy to Everyone:
Kirsten Moy from San Leandro in the Bay Area, traditional land of the Ohlone
12:16:33 From Mary Huang to Everyone:
homelessness is rising fast in Ottawa, Canada and food security an issue too
12:17:31 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
huge problem in London.
12:17:47 From Luke Edwards to Everyone:
agreed, we are at ground zero here at LPL
12:17:55 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Kyle Marcus – Managing Director, Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area (Sudbury, ON) Kyle Marcus took over as Managing Director of the Downtown Sudbury BIA in 2021 following a desire to help with the economic recovery of his community. He holds an Honors Bachelor of Commerce Degree form Laurentian University as well as a Business Administration diploma from Cambrian College. Following University Kyle became an entrepreneur, investing in one of downtown Sudbury’s marquee establishments, SRO Nightclub, now one of the top night-time venues in the province. Kyle is also the owner and founder of The Alibi Room, a modern take on a prohibition era speakeasy specializing in High end cocktails with a focus on sustainability. During the pandemic Kyle applied his entrepreneurial skills by leading the downtown charge towards innovative ideas including an immersive and expansive patio program, and founding The Hand Up Collective to fundraise, finance and lobby for long term housing solutions.
12:18:28 From Mary W. Rowe to Everyone:
hello LONDON
12:18:34 From Maureen Johnstone to Everyone:
Hi everyone, I am calling in from Whitehorse, Yukon, the traditional territory of Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council
12:19:04 From Rick Reinhard to Everyone:
Rockville, Maryland, USA, traditional territory of the Piscataway.
12:21:05 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Cam Guthrie – Mayor, City of Guelph (Guelph, ON) Cam Guthrie was re-elected Mayor of Guelph in 2022, after serving two terms as Mayor from 2014 to 2022, and as a Councillor for Ward 4 from 2010 to 2014. He completed a 3-year term, serving as the Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), a group of 29 Mayors of cities with 100,000 people or more, who collectively represent 70 per cent of Ontario’s population, in December 2022. In March 2022, he was appointed to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Board of Mayors, representing North America. An avid community volunteer, Cam has served on the Boards of several local not-for-profit organizations and mentored startups and small business owners through the Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington. In January 2019, Mayor Guthrie convened a task force of community leaders and agencies to take action on the issues of homelessness, addiction, and mental health needs in Guelph.
12:21:09 From Voncelle Volté to Everyone:
I’m here to learn from Kyle Marcus … His website link is broken.
12:22:05 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Mayor Cam Guthrie (continued): @CamGuthrie
12:22:36 From Sue Uteck to Everyone:
There is a serious lack of coordination between the province and the city here in Halifax- I think we all agree that it begins with a lack of affordable housing.
12:23:26 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Welcome new joiners! Just a reminder to please change your chat settings to “Everyone” so we can all see your comments.
12:23:42 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
This is something that is getting lost, we moved from a pandemic with support, but the businesses are dealing with similar if not worse conditions since.
12:23:54 From justine smith to Everyone:
Addressing housing, poverty, food insecurity, & funding mental health/ addiction services, AND regulating inflation (on housing/food/necessities) is a must… UBI would be nice too for ppl making below living wages…
Until those issues are funded and properly addressed, we will continue to see a rise in addiction and our neighbours living in the streets.
Criminalization is expensive, ineffective and creates a revolving door system that perpetuates/ exacerbates issues. Regulating the cost of living/ living wages and funding social services is crucial.
12:24:41 From David Scrivener to Everyone:
Hi Voncelle, the Downtown Sudbury BIA can be reached at (705) 674-5115 or kyle@downtownsudbury.com while the website issues are resolved. Thanks for the flag.
12:25:40 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Dr. Suzanne Shoush is the inaugural Director of Indigenous Health Program for Inner City Health Associates, a group of 200 physicians and nurses offering specialized services to people living on the street and in shelters, encampments, and precarious housing across Toronto. She has degrees in Engineering and Medicine and is the lead physician for community and culture-based, trauma informed, culturally safe, and low barrier comprehensive primary care clinics. Dr. Shoush is also the Indigenous Health Faculty Lead for the Department of Family and Community Medicine with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. In addition to her work in Toronto’s shelter systems, she has also worked throughout Ontario in rural and remote communities as a rural family physician and is a member of the Call Auntie Clinic. Dr. Shoush grew up in Alberta, her mother is Li’wat Coast Salish, and her father is Sudanese.
12:25:41 From Lisa Jayne to Everyone:
comment/question – Toronto is whining that they are ‘broke’ but Toronto citizens pay lower property taxes than neighbouring areas e.g. Mississaugua, Peterborough. The ‘average’ Torontian seems to be voting for a Mayor that promises NOT to increase property taxes.
12:25:55 From Nathan Rogers to Everyone:
very true that public libraries are acting as a sort of waiting room
12:26:38 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
We love all the thoughtful and engaging comments in the chat. Amplify the conversation on social media! @canurb #citytalk
12:27:05 From Catherine Hacksel to Everyone:
Thank you Suzanne!! Let’s fund what we know works!
12:27:20 From Robin McPherson to Everyone:
The funding model for cities does not reflect the reality of services that cities are providing to all residents.
12:29:15 From Jillian Hardie to Everyone:
Is there an opportunity to start a solutions lab? Which would provide opportunities for input from Front line workers to those who would not normally be included in these opportunities such as Security companies, business owners who understand the issues, etc.
12:30:02 From Mikaela Malcolm to Everyone:
Amazingly articulated Dr. Shoush, I agree with every point for the City of Toronto and GTA wide
12:30:23 From Catherine Hacksel to Everyone:
The Homelessness Hub online has lots of resources for those concerned about feeling ill-equipped
12:31:11 From Brent Kalinowski to Everyone:
Although I agree whole heartedly in enhancing funding where it is needed (MH/Addictions/Housing) sooner than later,……….with the goal to naturally reduce the need and expense of policing…….the immediate defund of policing is NOT the solution. Let’s be careful with knee jerk reactions and movements.
12:31:17 From Rhonda Jessup to Everyone:
Libraries are a waiting room and a bellwether. We have been sanctuaries for a very long time for vulnerable residents
12:32:15 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
We love your comments and questions in the chat! Share them with everyone by changing your chat settings to “Everyone”. Thanks!
12:32:17 From Catherine Hacksel to Everyone:
Drop ins and shelters can be set up quickly – COVID has demonstrated this & how it’s simply the political will that’s key
12:32:54 From Nathan Rogers to Everyone:
Does Canada need provinces when most people live in cities? Or is there a City-National government model
12:33:34 From Luke Edwards to Everyone:
Our challenge is balancing the needs of the most vulnerable populations vs the safety and wellbeing of staff and patrons. We partner with the Police who are an outstanding partner. As with Brent, we need to take a careful approach when speaking about defunding Police.
12:35:01 From Catherine Hacksel to Everyone:
Luke keep in mind that perceptions of safety are not always reflective of actual social benefit (displacing & incarcerating poverty compounds costly harms)
12:35:07 From Lisa Jayne to Everyone:
yes, there seems to be a shift – at one time (during the pandemic) we were talking about ‘build back better’ ….but we are not hearing about that so much now (post-pandemic)
12:35:07 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
@Brent and @Luke most defund police initiatives are not about removing police overall but reevaluating how police are used and the authority they are granted in certain situations.
12:35:08 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
If you’re interested in learning more about social medicine and the Call Auntie Clinic that Dr. Shoush referenced: https://www.callauntieclinic.com
12:36:54 From Robin McPherson to Everyone:
In Niagara, the Regional govt is in charge of housing. Another layer to the funding and implementation.
12:38:04 From Russ Disotell to Everyone:
I still hold to Build Back Better, but no one told us it would be easy. Have to take a clear look, ask hard questions and cobble viable solutions.
12:38:08 From Rick Reinhard to Everyone:
The Downtown Washington DC BID (BIA) has a reasonably comprehensive homeless services program, including contracting with a social-services not-for-profit. Not a solution, but a step in the right direction. https://www.downtowndc.org/program/homeless-services/
12:39:11 From Amber Livingstone to Everyone:
Sometimes public perception of service providers is that they are only available from 9-5. Sometimes that perception is accurate.
12:39:34 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
I disagree with that. Municipalities make 9 cents of every dollar Canadians pay in taxes, and have billions of dollars in infrastructure deficits. Fundamentally, if municipalities operated with accrual accounting rather than cash, it would be very clear that almost every city in North America is insolvent. To look to them for funding is asking them to further neglect the foundation upon which our communities are built, and they do not have the control necessary to increase taxation in a meaningful way.
12:40:23 From Kelsey Santarossa to Everyone:
I am curious to know about how referral pathways are standardized and promoted in your communities to ensure that the broader network of community supports understand who will be best served where.
12:40:28 From Linda Williams to Everyone:
As a longtime community worker in Winnipeg, I don’t believe we will have a choice but to deal with homelessness and housing but at the community level via outreach. Yes, sitting in an office at a computer is safer, etc. but it will not work with this issue. There appears to be a long term avoidance of working on prevention – just symptoms. We cannot afford this anymore.
12:40:43 From Dan Carter to Everyone:
The Budget for Durham Region for Social Service and Health is three times what the Police budget is.
12:41:05 From Kelly Goz to Everyone:
The mandate for providing MH & A supports to people experiencing homelessness MUST be applied to MH&A funded agencies through the Ministry of Health.
12:41:50 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
Our cities, healthcare system, water/wastewater systems, housing providers and court systems are all at a breaking point. We need to stop looking to our neighbours to the south as role models, and tax our population and businesses appropriately to reach a point of sustainability in the years ahead.
12:42:01 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Thanks to all for the lively chat. You can also share your thoughts and amplify the conversation on social media @canurb #citytalk
12:42:08 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
If interested about the organization Al mentioned, you can learn more about End Homelessness Winnipeg here: https://endhomelessnesswinnipeg.ca
12:42:15 From Rachel Braithwaite to Everyone:
Not all municipalities experience the same levels of homelessness (often because they don’t provide the supports). Should municipalities that don’t provide the supports pay to help fund those that do?
12:43:24 From Suzy Godefroy to Everyone:
We have a pilot program in the Downtown Brampton core called Welcoming Streets that is funded by the Region of Peel and managed by the City of Brampton. This is a good start but not enough – we keep seeing more people on the streets and in need.
12:44:15 From Erin Mifflin to Everyone:
Peel Region is using its own funding to extend health care services for people experiencing homelessness that was started during the pandemic.
12:45:19 From Chloe Good to Everyone:
housing
12:45:54 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
It’s not just that they didn’t sign up for this they aren’t getting the support to adapt.
12:46:49 From Meeri Durand to Everyone:
So happy to see representation from my hometown of North Bay. We are a small rural municipality in BC and have recently created a ‘Community Connections Center’ and ‘Integrated Services Collaborative’ in response to need at a local level. Local governments can be leaders in this space by incubating innovation and collaboration. There is no easy fix to complex issues – but it should not be a barrier to taking even small steps. I also think including those with lived experience is critical in this space.
12:49:17 From Carole Fischer to Everyone:
I Agree – Housing First!
12:49:53 From Mariah Patterson to Everyone:
River View is sitting empty, why?
12:49:59 From justine smith to Everyone:
Housing first! I agree!
12:50:09 From Carole Fischer to Everyone:
Even well employed folks, with union jobs often go into mental health crisis when housing stability is threatened.
12:50:27 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
YES YES YES to needs for operational funding missing from all of these issues.
12:50:39 From Sandra Severs to Everyone:
Riverview is not sitting empty. Coast Mental Health has been running programming out of there for years.
12:50:50 From Alex Doran to Everyone:
well said Cam
12:50:51 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
Feds and Prov love the big splashy announcements of capital investment, but operational is where the real change happens.
12:50:51 From Luke Edwards to Everyone:
Any thoughts on long term in-patient mental health care funding?
12:51:41 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
^ would love to hear about pros and cons of that as well
12:52:01 From Chloe Good to Everyone:
River View: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MMHA0056-002058
12:52:09 From Sue Uteck to Everyone:
Kyle, can you post your email?
12:53:12 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
Some of the media on Kyle Marcus’ program in Sudbury: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/welcoming-streets-mental-health-support-1.6812886
12:53:27 From Ben DiRaimo to Everyone:
we need a few hours to drill down on this critical issue.
12:53:48 From Carole Fischer to Everyone:
Bigger view on housing crisis is the financialization of our housing stock – finally a topic on Federal speaking notes
12:53:49 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
Sue, Kyle’s email is kyle@downtownsudbury.com and the the Downtown Sudbury BIA can also be reached at (705) 674-5115.
12:53:58 From Lisa Jayne to Everyone:
good point -Kyle! We need to be concerned about the mental health of our first-responders (police, social workers, paramedics) …as well as the mental health of vulnerable people …
12:53:58 From Linda Williams to Everyone:
In Finland, they do housing first and they use Finland owned land, Cities acquire land from those who abandon their properties, and another potential is acquiring land that was used for criminal activities. How about using this land to develop housing like pocket housing and do housing first and then provide services and treatment to assist people to succeed in their new place.
12:54:04 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
A big part of the issue is easing people into the traditional systems of work and housing.
12:54:04 From Dan Carter to Everyone:
Oshawa has had the Welcoming Streets program for the past three years
12:54:34 From Lisa Jayne to Everyone:
Yes, I have seen a program on Finland – housing & health care models – very inclusive (all ages …)
12:55:01 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
We need some flexibility in integration into getting from houseless to housed and jobless to employed.
12:55:30 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
i believe Geulph also has a welcoming streets program. It would be great to have an amalgamated info package on these various programs and how to implement them.
12:55:48 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
Also the mental health of the Businesses that are the front lines of this.
12:55:49 From Leah Thomas to Everyone:
agreed Jeff.
12:55:53 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Keep the conversation going #CityTalk @canurb
12:55:56 From Anna Chrzaniecki to Everyone:
Brampton downtown has the Welcoming Streets pilot program too
12:56:18 From Rosie Beaulieu to Everyone:
Kyle you are awesome I really appreciate your Downtown clean up program that the Downtown BIA in Sudbury implemented which provides folks experiencing employment barriers an opportunity to help clean up the downtown for an honorarium. It’s such a win win for our community and so respectful
12:56:31 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
Here is a graph that shows the complete drop-off of federal investment in public housing in 1995 that has resulted in the housing crisis that we are experiencing today. The current investments of the Federal government are not even enough to keep the current affordable housing units online, let alone adding to that stock: https://ecm11081-my.sharepoint.com/:i:/g/personal/chris_tammi_mgre_ca/EVd7BCZUv8dLg_4s7nOBcZkBu3w_GJrkJ81QB2GJ1HFzVg?e=CBIbTf
12:57:04 From Brent Kalinowski to Everyone:
9-5 isn’t working. Strong need to adapt our MH and social services to 5-9?
12:57:23 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
If you have any questions you would like us to follow up on, please send to cui@canurb.org
12:57:38 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
Absolutely Brent, also weekends
12:58:44 From Sandra Severs to Everyone:
Perhaps we need to move from talking about services (not that they aren’t critically important) but about relationships? How do we strengthen community resilience?
12:58:51 From Patricia Gray to Everyone:
Look up The Village in Duncan BC very successful.
12:59:03 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Stay tuned for our late June CityTalk on Mobility as a Service along with other summer sessions! https://canurb.org/subscribe/
12:59:13 From Christy Chrus to Everyone:
In Downtown Whitby the Town worked with the BIA and just distributed ‘Community Support’ cards directing them to a website on where to find access to info, who to call (i.e. where are food banks located, what to do if you find a needle), etc. We are working with Regional partners, police, staff from various departments and the Salvation Army, Library, local churches. Community lifts up community
12:59:54 From Rosie Beaulieu to Everyone:
I want to say thank you to everyone for all the wisdom I gleaned and especially the respectful and compassionate wording. Wonderful learning opportunity <3
13:00:01 From Jeff MacIntyre to Everyone:
Part of the issue is the feeling that communities are off boarding these issue onto their downtowns. NIMBY has become Downtowns Backyard is fine
13:00:04 From Emilie Charlebois (CUI) to Everyone:
Thank you for joining us! We have recorded today’s session and will share it online within a week at canurb.org/citytalk-canada/
13:00:18 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
Some recent news that Cam mentioned out of Guelph and supportive housing expansions in that community: https://globalnews.ca/news/9733947/supportive-housing-guelph-fundraising-boost/
13:00:24 From elisabeth miller to Everyone:
What is the contact for Kyle Marcus Sudbury BIA….the above link or name did not work
13:00:35 From M A to Everyone:
Agreed @Rosie! So much learning in one hour. Thank you everyone for sharing your wisdom.
13:01:06 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
kyle@downtownsudbury.com
13:01:20 From David Scrivener (CUI) to Everyone:
HI all, Kyle and the Downtown Sudbury BIA can be reached at (705) 674-5115 or kyle@downtownsudbury.com
13:01:21 From Rosie Beaulieu to Everyone:
Or just go downtown in Sudbury and yell Kyle! He will be there
13:01:25 From Kristina Craig to Everyone:
Thank you all for your time
13:01:32 From Robin McPherson to Everyone:
Thank you all so much.
13:01:34 From Luke Edwards to Everyone:
Thank you to all for this insightful conversation.
13:01:41 From Leandro Santos (CUI) to Everyone:
Thanks to all the panellists!
13:01:43 From Rachel Braithwaite to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:01:45 From Amber Livingstone to Everyone:
Great conversation. Thank you.
13:01:46 From M. Alejandra Fajardo to Everyone:
Thank you so much!
13:01:48 From gabriela masfarre to Everyone:
THank you!!
13:01:51 From Geoff McCausland to Everyone:
Thank you, everyone!
13:01:52 From Cassandra Alves to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:01:52 From Cathy van Poorten to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:01:52 From John Gyepi-Garbrah to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:01:53 From Alex Doran to Everyone:
thank you!
13:01:54 From Alex Atkinson to Everyone:
Thank you
13:01:58 From Toma Beit-Arie to Everyone:
Thank you!
13:01:58 From Jackie Gervais to Everyone:
Thank you! This was wonderful. Thanks to all of you!
13:01:59 From Christopher Hardy to Everyone:
Thank you
13:02:00 From Voncelle Volté to Everyone:
Thank you. I always learn something new.
13:02:01 From Anna Chrzaniecki to Everyone:
Thank you