Timmins council selects site for emergency encampment project

Timmins city council has chosen a rural property on Pine St. South for a new encampment relocation project. This project is led by the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSSAB), which needs the site selected before March 21. Securing the location will allow access to $3.2 million in provincial funding. The plan includes building modular units, similar to those used in mining camps, to provide up to 40 temporary emergency shelters. The council still needs to review the plan before officially leasing the property to CDSSAB. Currently, there are about 400 people experiencing homelessness in the Cochrane district. Concerns have been raised about the proposed site, including its distance from necessary services like policing and mental health support. Some residents worry about a lack of food sources and adequate lighting. Additionally, there are concerns about odors from a nearby landfill. Pine St. was chosen as it is far from residential areas, while other locations were deemed too close to neighborhoods. Coun. Cory Robin advocated for a different location but was outvoted. He acknowledged that some responses suggested doing nothing or placing the encampment as far away as possible. Other council members, like Coun. John Curley, expressed concerns about infrastructure needs, likening the area to a "gravel pit." Details about transportation, utilities, and water systems are still undecided and will be included in the CDSSAB's future plans. Coun. Kristin Murray noted that the encampment response is just one part of a larger issue. Community health advocate Jason Serada criticized the reliance on public opinion for policy decisions, emphasizing the need to prioritize the needs of unhoused individuals.