Nanaimo councillors led a roundtable of confusion about how to better communication with service providers and direct staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

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Confusion reigns as Nanaimo council decides how to help the homeless during pandemic

Apr 3, 2020 | 5:57 AM

NANAIMO — Motions on the fly, amendments to those motions and fatigue took their toll on Nanaimo councillors when discussing how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is not a good way to make public policy,” mayor Leonard Krog said near the end up a roughly three hour council meeting on Wednesday, April 1.

The comment came after several motions were brought forward by councillor Don Bonner regarding the health and housing task force, which is comprised of service providers like the United Way and Island Health. The motions included boosting communication about an emergency response for those experiencing homelessness and creating a food security action plan, all of which are provincial responsibilities.

By the end of the marathon meeting, both motions directing the task force were approved but not without raising serious concerns.

“We have spent a great deal of time today gilding the lily and telling, suggesting, directing or asking staff and the health and housing task force to do what’s in their mandate in any event and could do anyway without direction or advice,” Krog said.

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When raising his second motion about the creation of a food security action plan, coun. Bonner even admitted he thought the health and housing task force would be doing the work anyway.

The confusion around the council table comes at a time when the need for proper communication is at an all time high.

Councillor Tyler Brown, who later introduced an amendment to Bonner’s on the fly motion, said he’s heard concerns from service providers about a lack of central leadership as the provincial and federal governments rolls out aid and assistance.

Coun. Sheryl Armstrong expressed severe concerns about directing the health and housing task force to do anything, since the City is involved with it and any recommendations it brings forward.

“To keep taking our staff time, in the time of a pandemic and crisis and keeping applying all of it to homelessness, to me is not right. What about the other 99,500 people in this community?”

The initial discussion about helping the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic was comparatively brief with concrete recommendations approved unanimously by Nanaimo council.

City staff will now implement a plan to provide additional temporary washrooms and hand sanitizing stations at three downtown Nanaimo sites.

The port-a-potties will be placed in the rough area of the community services building on Prideaux St., Wesley St. and near the old firehall on Victoria Cres.

The outdoor washroom in Diana Krall Plaza will also remain open for 24 hours.

Installing more needle boxes at these sites is also in the works by staff and Island Health.

“This is our first phase of response,” general manager of development services Dale Lindsay told councillors. “Things are changing rapidly, things are changing quickly and I would not want to suggest for a moment this is the last step we will take.”

Exempting the health and housing task force, which is now handling several new directions from Nanaimo council, from the closure affecting other committees and groups was also approved.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit