THUNDER BAY – City council heard from members of the public on some of the most pressing needs in the city that should to be considered in the upcoming 2020 budget deliberations, including one deputation that reminded councillors of the people impacted by their decisions.
Veronica Hilliard was one of eight people who spoke before council during a public pre-budget deputation meeting on Thursday evening at Thunder Bay City Hall.
In her deputation, she shared her experiences as a senior living alone and the struggles she faces with transit, being able to afford to live in her home, and abuse she experiences.
“I don’t think anything I say will change or help with any of the decisions in your upcoming budget,” she said. “But I want you to know there are many like me. People who die in their homes and are not found for weeks. My social isolation is complete. I go weeks without another human being to talk to.”
Hilliard said she pays her property taxes every year but does not see any benefits. She referred to sidewalks that are not maintained, roads that are not cleared after snowstorms, and having to be careful how much water she uses or when she is able to cook her meals.
“I am who you are making financial decisions about,” she continued. “I don’t see anything getting better for me in the future.”
Deputations also focused on fiscal responsibility and serving the needs of people of Thunder Bay, from those living in poverty to hockey fans.
Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, opened her deputation by acknowledging the city is facing serious challenges this year, including funding cuts, layoffs, and economic instability.
“Overall we know the city’s economy is not growing at a significant rate,” she said. “It is quite sluggish. That is a concern for all. Inflation and increasing costs continue to eat into any of the growth that is happening.”
Robinson added the chamber has expressed concerns about municipal spending and the impact it has on current and future property taxes.
The proposed municipal tax levy as it stands now includes a $6.1 million increase over 2019, or 3.17 per cent. After growth the tax levy increase is $4.5 million or 2.32 per cent.
Robinson said Chamber members are concerned about the overall tax levy increase and she said they would like to see it no more than $4 million.
Members would also like to see a balance in spending, she said, including taking into consideration city staffing levels, with every staff departure seen as an opportunity to review and revise spending needs.
“Every dollar that is allocated for something is a dollar that cannot be spent on something else,” Robinson said. “Choose wisely.”
Larry Brigham asked council to not forget about the people of the city and not follow the example of provincial government.
Brigham referred to the community development project, Thunder Bay Counts, which would like to see the city be an inclusive and connected community, free from poverty, and have a vibrant, prosperous, and diverse economy.
“We want to remind the council that this budget is not just about maintaining or tweaking services,” Brigham’s presentation read. “We know it takes a whole community working together to change social conditions in priority areas like poverty and racism.”
“Be fiscally responsible, but set a vision and direction by collaborative involvement, by focusing on the quality of life and not just the bottom line.”
Linda Bruins with Evergreen: A United Neighbourhood, provided a deputation about the organization’s need for funding in order to remain open.
“I understand it’s a tough year and you have tough decisions to make,” she said. “We have been getting city funding for seven years. There was no youth programming to speak of. We appreciate what you do.”
In the last two years, Evergreen has received $30,000 from the city and this year they are asking for $40,000 after funding from the District Social Services Board was no longer made available.
With an annual operating budget of $104,000, Bruins said the organization sees between 40 and 80 kids a day at its location on Heron Street and more than 350 families have signed up for programming this year.
“We all know the situation in Thunder Bay,” Bruins said. “We are dealing with the gang situation. We had shootings that happened a block from the house. There are a lot of scared children. It’s very sad days. But we are able to shield them. We’ve had people go off the street. They come in and access computers. It’s known as a refuge in the neighbourhood.”
Other deputations were directed at more specific issues. Two community members asked city council to consider safety netting be installed at area hockey arenas to protect spectators.
Andrew Brigham said during his deputation that he was pleased to see infrastructure projects to enhance active transportation in the city included in the upcoming budget, such as the continuation of the Balmoral Street renewal, work on the Marina Park pedestrian overpass, and the addition of more cross walks.
“This budget proposal shows a strong commitment to supporting active and healthy lifestyles,” he said. “I encourage the investment and encourage you to keep at it.”
Budget deliberations will continue next week at city council.
