Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger met with the newly-established task team on Friday, in what he says was a very productive day.
The task team was announced by mayor last week in the wake of a pair of violent incidents including a fatal stabbing on Elm Street on Oct. 14.
The ask team includes members from the following service providers and will include meetings with and advice from community partners in the near future:
- City of Greater Sudbury
- Greater Sudbury Police Service
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre
- Candian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
- Business Improvement Association
- Northern Ontario School of Medicine
- Health Sciences North
Bigger's statement is as follows:
Today was a very productive day. We had a great meeting and that's a credit to everyone involved sharing the same priorities about supporting our most vulnerable and our downtown.
The BIA , Council and our partners have played an essential role in identifying several issues and providing solutions to address them.
As a group we are learning from each other and our shared expertise will allow us to approach very difficult issues like housing, homelessness, systemic racism, the opioid crisis, as well as mental health and addictions supports as a unified and determined team.
However, there are gaps in service and support, and this is an area we are identifying and working to find solutions for - but it there is no immediate, easy or simple solution.
We need to find more beds for our vulnerable populations. We need more housing. Though we are looking at short term improvements, we need to accept our ultimate goal is long term solutions and a successful outcome for our entire community.
Mayor Brian Bigger
City of Greater Sudbury
