A discussion surrounding how to support the city’s most vulnerable population.

At-Large Councillor Mark Bentz has brought forward a motion to Monday’s council meeting that is asking for a report focusing on strategies to reduce homelessness and poverty in Thunder Bay. This is in response to growing concerns surrounding and violence towards the homeless community in the city.

“The resolutions goal is to request a report from administration on strategies and funding levels that they and their partners feel could be useful in moving the dial forward here in addressing issues in our city surrounding homelessness,” explains Bentz. “It’s a strategic kind of approach, so I’m not expecting the debate to center around what we might do or how much would be involved, but certainly an agreement that perhaps we look at a strategy and we fund that strategy properly.”

Homelessness is generally a provincial or federal issue. Bentz goes on to say this does not mean the municipality cannot play a significant role in solving the issue.

“We’re trying to take more of a leadership role here and facilitation role to kind of act as a catalyst for the organizations that are doing good work in our community,” says Bentz. “It’s been said that the municipal level does not own this problem which is correct, but we could certainly be a partner and a catalyst that could bring good to the community and that’s the way I see it.”

Bentz did mention that funding from the province or federal government would go a long way in tackling the issue.

In Canada, more than 235,000 people experience homelessness in any given year, with around 30,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.