Council Backs Intercity Site for Shelter Village Amidst Procedural Concerns
Hillyard Location Approved in Close Vote, Ousting Miles Street Option
City council has selected the Hillyard site for the temporary shelter village, a decision reached following a contentious vote that overturned a previous Miles Street location choice. The move has drawn criticism for its limited public consultation on the newly favored site.
Unexpected Site Shift
In a sequence of events that sparked confusion among council members, the proposed location at 114 Miles St. East was rejected. Council then opted for the Hillyard site, situated on 8th Avenue off Central Avenue in the Intercity area, a location that had received minimal prior public discussion.
Mayor **Ken Boshcoff** cast the tie-breaking vote, shifting council’s direction. He voted against the Hill Street location and even his own amendment, which aimed to mandate a comprehensive report by mid-2027 on the village’s status and allow for future council adjustments.
The amendment, intended to provide oversight, was narrowly defeated in the same 7-6 split. Councillor **Mark Bentz** questioned if the amendment’s reporting requirement would extend to all considered sites, but learned it was specific to Miles Street. **Bentz** stated he would not support an amendment that excluded other options.
Costly Adjustments and Public Input Worries
Following the rejection of Miles Street, **Bentz** proposed the Hillyard site. However, initial recommendations included financial contributions to the Fort William BIA and downtown cleanup, which city manager **John Collin** suggested removing. Instead, the operational budget cap for the shelter village was proposed to increase by $300,000, from $1.5 million to $1.8 million, to cover transportation expenses at the Hillyard location.
Bentz resisted this increase, insisting his motion was not meant to raise the budget. Councillor **Kasey Etreni** highlighted a staff report that ranked the Hillyard site lower due to its proximity to an active transportation corridor and an off-leash dog park, noting an increased potential for conflict between residents and park users, particularly in less populated areas.
Councillor **Etreni** expressed concern over the process, stating she felt “backed into a corner” by time pressures, despite ultimately voting in favor of the Hillyard site. Councillor **Andrew Foulds** and Councillor **Trevor Giertuga** were among those who voted against the Hillyard location, citing insufficient public engagement.
Final Decision and Future Outlook
Despite widespread objections regarding the lack of public input and the rushed decision-making, council approved the Hillyard site with a 9-4 vote. Mayor **Boshcoff** and councillors **Bentz**, **Etreni**, **Shelby Ch’ung**, **Rajni Agarwal**, **Albert Aiello**, **Oliver**, and **Dominic Pasqualino** voted in favor. Councillors **Brian Hamilton**, **Greg Johnsen**, **Foulds**, and **Giertuga** voted against.
This decision is final and does not require further council review unless significant procedural barriers emerge. City Manager **Collin** indicated that unforeseen public objections could potentially impact the site’s development.
The chosen Hillyard site is a largely commercial area, adjacent to a public dog park. The city aims to have the temporary shelter village operational, addressing critical needs for unhoused individuals. According to recent data, over 500 individuals in the region were identified as experiencing homelessness in a single night count in 2023 (City of Thunder Bay 2023).
