Every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighbourhood, on our trails, in our parks and throughout our downtown.
At the same time, people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental-health challenges deserve access to services that can help them move toward stability. North Bay needs an approach to community safety that is compassionate, coordinated and consistent.
My focus will be on helping individuals who need support while maintaining safe, clean and accessible public spaces for everyone. That requires stronger coordination among municipal services, social services, health care, policing and outreach organizations — and clear expectations about how our public spaces are used.
Through close collaboration with community partners like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB), and the North Bay Police Service, we can build a system that helps people rebuild their lives while restoring residents’ confidence in the places where they live, work and play.
Community Safety & Public Confidence
A Coordinated Approach to Homelessness, Mental Health & Addiction
No single organization can solve these challenges alone.
North Bay needs to strengthen partnerships among social services, health care, policing, municipal services and outreach organizations while addressing the underlying pressures created by mental-health needs, addiction and a need for more supportive housing options.
As Mayor, I will ensure City-run services are focused on results and work with community partners to expand treatment, transition housing and other wrap-around supports. I will also continue advocating to the provincial and federal governments to ensure these programs receive sustainable operational funding.
Addressing homelessness is a community responsibility. North Bay residents deserve a coordinated system that is safe, compassionate and focused on helping people rebuild their lives.
Safer Parks, Trails & Public Spaces
Families should feel comfortable taking their children to a park. Seniors should feel comfortable walking our trails. Residents should be able to enjoy the community amenities their tax dollars support.
As Mayor, I will:
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Increase coordinated clean-ups and maintenance in parks and along trail corridors.
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Continue investing in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), including improvements to lighting, sightlines and trail access points.
A Consistent Approach to Encampments & Public Drug Use
Residents and service providers should know what to expect from the City.
As Mayor, I will:
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Strengthen the City’s response protocol so encampments in unsafe or high-traffic areas are addressed consistently.
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Ensure open drug use in family-focused spaces like the Splash Pad or the Kate Pace Way, and businesses areas like the downtown core is not tolerated, while maintaining compassionate and legally sound police and by-law responses.
The objective is to establish clear expectations for public spaces while connecting vulnerable residents with the services they need.
Locate Services Responsibly
North Bay needs treatment, shelter and social services, but where and how those services operate also matters.
Poorly planned locations can create additional pressures for surrounding residents, schools, and businesses while undermining public confidence in the services themselves.
As Mayor, I will:
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Prioritize working with the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) to find a permanent location for the low-barrier shelter.
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Follow the criteria for where new services can be located, balancing access to transit with the need to protect residential neighbourhoods, schools, daycares, and small businesses.
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Require strong operational plans, neighbourhood-impact mitigation and accountability measures for service providers seeking municipal approval.
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Advocate for a balanced approach that expands needed supports while ensuring they are distributed in a way that maintains community safety and confidence.
We can provide compassionate services without asking individual neighbourhoods to shoulder a disproportionate impact.