Proposed temporary encampment location in Timmins is near landfill

A municipally owned parcel of land on Pine Street South is the proposed location for a temporary encampment to shelter the homeless.

The plan to build a temporary shelter location in Timmins is not finalized, but it’s moving forward.

The Cochrane District Services Board and Timmins city council have agreed on the location to establish a temporary homeless encampment.

Officials said the so-called HOPE initiative involves putting up modular units similar to what’s used in remote mining camps to create about forty spaces.

Results from a recent public survey indicate a parcel of land near the Deloro landfill is the site of choice.

“With this information, the Cochrane District Services Board can now prepare and release over the coming weeks request for proposals for both building design and set up,” said Christine Heavens, director of Ontario Works for Cochrane District Services Board.

“(We) can also request for proposal for service delivery, inviting service delivery providers to collaborate and develop options to consider.”

Officials said final approval of the lease or sale of the land will be confirmed once city council is satisfied that an appropriate service plan is in place to support the initiative.

Concern about the location

“One Indigenous service provider and two Indigenous staff from another service provider did voice some concerns about their ability to support the delivery of cultural aspects of client care at the location, given the proposed site’s vicinity to a landfill,” Heavens said.

“We do, however, have an opportunity to engage with a larger Indigenous audience.”

Kristin Murray, a Timmins councillor and CDSB member, said Indigenous people wouldn’t support an encampment near a landfill because that’s where the remains of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are sometimes found.

“I just I think it’s important to make that … statement because we just glossed over it,” said Murray.

Steve Black, also a Timmins councillor and CDSB member, also questioned whether the location could work given there is no permanent water or sewer connections.

But board officials said the request for proposal would be written in a way to include various options from no services offered other than security, to one that would include meals and counselling.