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Mayor would still open a business in downtown North Bay despite 'challenges'

'The word on the street is we have a reputation for helping everyone, that we cared about vulnerable people and that increased the number of people coming to our community.'
2020 09 15 North Bay City Hall 3
North Bay City Hall. Photo: Stu Campaigne

"We recognize the problem, we have for some time, it's very complex," says Mayor Al McDonald in response to the social issues manifesting in North Bay's downtown core and beyond.

This, on the heels of a presentation leading Tuesday's council meeting from two new downtown business owners who fear they've made a poor location choice for their fitness spin studio.

See original story: Owners say new business 'is guaranteed to fail' in 'Walking Dead' downtown 

Asked for his view on such a presentation from community members, the Mayor admits it is "not ideal," and does not support the growth mandate.

"We welcome and encourage people to move here, to live here, to invest here, to open businesses and create jobs, that's what we're focused on," he says.

"The downtown business owners have truly been understanding and patient. And, we feel for them. We cannot expect them to be doctors, nurses, mental health workers, and security all at the same time. I truly believe this situation is unfair to them."

Despite the misgivings of REVolve owners Jane Kelly and David Barrie, when asked if he would launch a business of his own downtown, after a pause of a few seconds, McDonald responds, "Yes." 

He qualifies his answer by adding, "There is no question there are challenges in the downtown core but I've always believed if everyone works together, we can solve the challenges. I would try to be part of the solution to the challenges."

One of those challenges continues to be a steady influx of people being shipped to North Bay from other markets. McDonald acknowledges some of those seeking treatment come here with a plan from smaller locales where the proper resources are not available and are legitimately seeking assistance for their issues.

In his involvement through the Mayor's Roundtable, McDonald says, "The word on the street is we have a reputation for helping everyone, that we cared about vulnerable people and that increased the number of people coming to our community."

However, when it comes to the deliberate direction of vulnerable people to North Bay with no supports in place and no conversation between agencies in those districts, McDonald calls this practice "unethical."

He adds, "If you really needed help and we just put you on a bus and sent you to another city, we're not helping you."

McDonald says the major finding of the roundtable report was the need for a hub of services designed to better support the vulnerable population.

"All the health care professionals that sat around that table supported the report," he observes. 

See related story: Mayor’s Roundtable brings a sense of hope

And: Reallocation of services will provide greatly improved addiction services to city say round table chairs

McDonald says the low-barrier shelter on Chippewa West came out of the roundtable but this has created another set of issues in that "nobody wants it in their neighbourhood. Everybody wants us to look after the most vulnerable, as long as it's not in their neighbourhood, and I understand that. It is a challenge." 

The Mayor applauds the team of social workers working as downtown ambassadors, who de-escalate any situations they can without police intervention. As far as an increased police presence in the downtown core, McDonald says he brings concerns expressed in meetings, such as those from Kelly and Barrie forward to the police board, which in turn come to the attention of Police Chief Scott Tod.

See also: Police prepping for summer bike patrols

And: Details still to be worked out before the DIA hires downtown security

"A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes," says McDonald, "trying to deal with this complex issue that we have no expertise in. But, I think we have a role to play. It has been nothing but challenging from day one."

The Mayor advises he is "open to any suggestions. I'm not a professional in this area. It's not a strength for me."

And then, "We are doing the best we can." 


Stu Campaigne

About the Author: Stu Campaigne

Stu Campaigne is a full-time news reporter for BayToday.ca, focusing on local politics and sharing our community's compelling human interest stories.
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