TBDSSAB wants changes to shelter fees, prisoner releases and deportation rules

Thunder Bay - The Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) is asking the provincial government to consider addressing several challenges facing social services.

Brian Hamilton, chair of the Ontario Rural Municipalities Association (TBDSSAB), traveled to Toronto last week for the 2025 Ontario Rural Municipalities Association conference, where he submitted six items to provincial ministers; however, they only received three testimonies.

Increase housing funding

Hamilton said he spoke with Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa about increasing funding for shelters to provide housing for Ontario Works clients.

Hamilton said shelter rates have not increased since 2001, and he asked the minister what needs to be done to update the funding formula.

"People are a bit hesitant to look at social services from a new perspective," he told Newswatch. "The way social services were 20 years ago is completely different from today. It's much more complex, and we're seeing unprecedented demand and pressure on social services."

Hamilton said the province is currently not interested in shelter rates.

He said: "They keep referring clients to other programs, especially employment services, and saying we should focus on those and help clients."

"We very politely reminded the province that many of our clients are not ready for employment and need additional supports and services."

Hamilton noted that shelter rates do not reflect the current housing market, "which is not conducive to helping people achieve stability in their lives and does nothing to help them live independently."

Release from custody strategy

Hamilton met with Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to discuss a release-from-custody strategy that links increasing emergency service calls to a lack of housing supports.

Hamilton said he advocated for a release-from-custody strategy to better support those caught in the cycle of the justice system.

"I think even police are very honest and transparent that there's a link between funded individuals with stable housing and criminal activity in the justice system. So, we're there to make that point," Hamilton said.

He said the minister is interested in continuing this work.

The city's intergovernmental affairs committee also met with Kerzner, specifically to discuss how to access funding from the province's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.

Councillor Kasey Etreni told Newswatch that the province recognizes "the uniqueness of Thunder Bay's issues."

"We need to recognize that there are many overlapping needs, so we often convey almost the same message to ministers, such as about housing, villages, supporting policing, etc."

Upgrading the Residential Tenancies Act

Hamilton discussed with Attorney General Doug Downey the possibility of establishing a social services mechanism to address criminal activity and disturbances in social housing.

Hamilton said that currently, if there are issues with criminal activity in TBDSSAB housing units, it can take up to seven months for TBDSSAB to take action through the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Hamilton said specific details have not been released, but the Attorney General's office "is ready to adopt new, innovative solutions to ensure social housing can respond to disturbances as effectively as possible."

Hamilton said: "One of the most important initiatives we put to the province is that we need more resources for supportive housing to support people in their homes, especially for those who lack life skills and the ability to protect themselves from exploitation."

Source: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/tbdssab-wants-changes-to-shelters-rates-inmate-releases-evictions-10122224