City council unanimously approves Clr. Natalie Harris’ “relentlessness” to increase warming capacity

By: Deepak Bidwai

(Deepak is a journalist with Barrie Community Media, funded by the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative).

This Monday the temperature in Barrie dropped 20 below zero degrees. It was extremely cold. But for many Barrie residents facing housing issues, there were not enough warming places as coffee shops and restaurants were closed due to recent lockdown measures. And social distancing made access to other non-profit warming places difficult. 

Their problems were made worse by the city’s emergency policy that allowed the warming facilities to open only if the temperature or wind chill drops 30 degrees below zero. 

There were two amendments passed this week to provide more warming facilities and reduce the temperature requirement to 20 degrees below zero. 

“The pandemic has changed the way we need to help her unhoused,” said Natalie Harris, Ward 6 Councillor and the mover of the motion. “We need to pivot and change the way we provide shelter, housing, and warmth.”

Robert Thomson, Ward 5 Councillor, wanted to know what $40,000  would accomplish and the breakdown of the grant. He said the initiative should have been taken earlier and the winter will almost be over as it will take at least three weeks for the money to get to the John Howard Society of Simcoe Muskoka.

City’s General Manager of Community and Corporate Services, Dawn McAlpine explained the changed circumstances due to the pandemic.  “What has happened with the pandemic is the volume of people who are seeking those spaces has increased. And there are greater challenges in providing those spaces, given health restrictions, and frankly, staffing in a COVID environment,” she said. 

After a prolonged discussion, Mayor Jeff Lehman felt the need to sum the amendment and reason for the funding. He said it is not a huge amount given the cold weather and covid-19 crisis. 

The motion was passed unanimously. 

Mayor Jeff Lehman appreciated Councillor Natalie Harris’s “relentlessness on this since late late November.” 

Ward 2 councillor Keenan Aylwin put forward the second motion to lower the temperature requirement for emergency services to kick in from negative 30 degrees to negative 20. London, Ontario has done similar changes.  “That will be fulfilling our obligation to our residents that they can be safe in extreme cold temperatures,” he asked his fellow council members for their support for the motion. 

The amendment was passed with support from all councillors except Robert Thomson.