TIMMINS - Weeks after the local services agency announced it's plans to create a treatment facility in Timmins, board members are officially supporting the proposal.
At the Sept. 19 Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) meeting, the board endorsed the development of the Wellness Centre of Excellence (WCE) and its funding application. The item was approved in a recorded vote, with all of the members voting in favour of it.
Thursday's meeting was the first for Coun. Steve Black this term. Days before, he was appointed to the board by Timmins council after Rock Whissell stepped down due to how the proposal was rolled out publicly.
Black asked for confirmation that the proposed facility would not be a safe consumption site, homeless shelter or needle distribution site.
For funding, the CDSB is applying to be one of the new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs announced by the province in August.
The application doesn't allow for the services Black asked about.
"One of the requirements of the HART Hub application is you do have opportunity to collect syringes. So there’s none distributed, but they want to make sure there’s an opportunity for people to turn them in,” said Jean Carriere, CDSB director of health.
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The goal of the initiative is to create a centralized service hub offering mental health and addiction treatment services and transitional housing support. The exact breakdown of how that looks has not been released.
On Sept. 3, the CDSB confirmed it's in talks to buy the Ramada Inn at 1800 Riverside Dr. for the proposed facility. Though an earlier news release from the CDSB and its project partners said the building had been purchased, the CDSB does not own the building yet.
Black also asked for clarification on the security of the building.
The plan for how the security will be managed is part of the HART Hub application process, said Carriere.
People would have to be referred to the agency through a service partner. Carriere said partners understand the importance of security and it being offered by trained professionals. The security would be treated like a medical facility like Timmins and District Hospital, he said.
As the plans for the facility move forward, Carriere confirmed that the board would review the operating plans for the centre.
Last week, Timmins council passed a motion asking the WCE partners to present to council. The request is in the wake of what the council members called a "botched" rollout of the plans for the hub. It calls for partners to clearly explain the model, what services would be delivered, and the potential impacts on the neighbourhood.
SEE: Timmins council wants more after 'botched' roll out of treatment centre plans
There was no confirmation at the CDSB meeting that the presentation would happen. Carriere said the request will be brought back to the partner agencies.
Coun. Lorne Feldman said the partners presenting at council is crucial for residents to have a full understanding of the facility.
“I think it’s clear that everyone in the community understands we require a treatment facility, it’s almost mandatory,” he said.
Here's some of what's known about the facility so far. This information has been gathered from the FAQ, in-person interviews and meeting coverage:
- Who are the partners? The partners that have been publicly listed are the CDSB, Timmins and District Hospital, Canadian Mental Health Association — Cochrane-Timiskaming, urban Indigenous service partners, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services, Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services, Timmins Academic Health Team, the Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre and Northern College.
- What is the catchment area? It would go from Chapleau to Constance Lake First Nation, up the James Bay coast, to the Quebec border and also include the Timiskaming District.
- What is the cost? CDSB is going for up to $6.3 million annually for three years, which is the maximum allowed in the HART Hub application, along with $1.8 million for one-time start-up costs. Under the HART Hub model, $1.3 million of the $6.3 million annually would be specifically for supportive housing. Major capital costs for new or full building renovations are not eligible for funding.
- What are the staffing needs? The number of staff needed is not known yet.
- Important dates. The deadline to send in their intent to apply was on Friday, Sept. 20. Applications are due on Oct. 18, with approved hubs expected to be notified in November. The start date for facilities is in the winter of 2025.
- How are the plans being communicated? Residents have been vocal about the need for communication on the site. Hundreds of people showed up to a public information session, which left many people frustrated and lacking clarity on the plans. CDSB says it's working with Navigator — a crisis PR firm also used by the hospital — to put out information. CDSB says it's also looking at ways to further engage the community.
