Invisible Homelessness

where you pay $2.00 for a meal. It may not seem like much to some, but to others this could be the daily budget they have for food to spend on their family. It is dignified, supported by the community, and relies on partnerships. Angie would like to create a hub where people would be connected with services and where they can be noticed.

by Ashley Sloan

You might often hear conversations about the rapid growth happening in the area, or on the increase in the housing market and the shortage of rental units in North Grenville; but have you heard about the actual homeless crisis?

The Rotary Club of North Grenville invited special guest Angie Brown to speak to the group and give a bit of insight as to what is happening right in our own region. Having this experience, Angie says:

“This is where I can see first hand the gaps where the system is failing individuals from all demographics. In North Grenville we do not see the stereotypical home- less panhandling, people pushing carts, or sleeping on the side walks in cardboard boxes. However, if you walk through the Ferguson Forest Centre and go in far enough, you will see tents set up as housing for some of our community members. The Kemptville Campus is also where people have started to camp out with no where else to go. Know anyone couch surfing? Living in a trailer with no power in the middle of winter?”

Angie has lived in Kemptville most of her life and, having parents in the restaurant industry, Angie says: “this is probably where I first learned to serve.” She was part of a team at the Salvation Army food bank where she would have clients drop in who never thought that they would ever need to use this type of service. Angie would invite them in to have a conversation and find out just how she could help. At Christmas time, she has served at the Community Dinner, which has grown over the years with the love and support of local businesses. Angie says that “Food is what brings people together, and when you are sitting at a table, there is no judgement, you make connections and can feel safe”.

A goal she would like to see is something similar to a project in Brockville to be available here. A kitchen called Loaves & Fishes is a restaurant

A major issue that is noted is that quite often after a crisis the standard procedure would be for the victim to call a 1-800 number, where they might be lucky to connect to the right person on their first try. What happens when they are asked to call another number and to go through reliving the situation whether it be simple or traumatic? How many people do you think have the courage to make that extra call? Having a Hub with resources would be the connection they need, to meet a case worker who would help them to get back on their feet, whether it is starting with counselling, or finding a safe place to sleep.

Angie also pointed out that, typically, Ontario Works pays roughly $700 a month to an individual who can provide an address, and roughly $300 if there is no address. A rent- cont'd from front page al costs anywhere from $900 to $3200 a month. Currently, in Leeds and Grenville, there are over 100 individuals who have gone through an intake with Angie and are awaiting support. 82% of these individuals have been homeless for over 6 months, meaning they have no key to a place, no fixed address and no security.

The work that Angie has done in such a short period of time is just the tip of the iceberg. Since her new career started in November, she has helped 7 individuals find a place to call home. She is building relationships with landlords and meeting with similar agencies to work together to help as many people as she can. The service does not stop there; Angie will follow up with them and lets them know she is only a phone call away. She says that one client was homeless for three years before they received the support needed and recently signed up for online college courses. Sometimes, just being given a chance can change a persons life! How do these programs run? The funding is

Councillor apologises

by David Shanahan

Councillor Deb Wilson issued an apology to a resident at a recent council meeting following a complaint against her to the Municipality’s Integrity Commissioner. The Commissioner’s report centred on two comments Councillor Wilson made which, he found, violated the Code of Conduct for members of council. The Times has been asked specifically by the Complainant to comment on the issue.

The Report noted that of the many complaints made, none were found to be in breach of the Code aside from two sentences, which, it was decided, were “ demeaning communications to a member of the public that were disrespectful... While we find there was a breach, the comments made by the Councillor are not so severe that a financial penalty or reprimand is warranted” . The Commissioner also pointed out that the comments were made in “a private message exchange between the Councillor and the Complainant”. The recommendation was that Councillor Wilson apologise to the Complainant “to restore public confidence in Council and to make reparation for the impact the comments may have had on the Complainant”.

The context for the comments is important, naturally. The complainant posted a public complaint about the cost of hospital parking while his wife was sick in the hospital.

provided by grants which need to be applied for on a regular basis. Reports need to be provided on how the money is spent. The provincial government agencies have to spread so much over so many organizations that it doesn't last very long. The brighter side of the story is that this conversation may have fallen on ears that are ready to take action. Angie says that Municipal Bylaw has even noticed the increase in unsuitable conditions of houses that people are living in, and that something needs to be done.

The Rotary Club feels that more of this conversation needs to be had and has invited Angie back to have more discussions and to brainstorm some solutions.

There were many comments that weighed in on the conversation, to give the complainant advice, including from Councillor Wilson, and the two later had a private message exchange. Councillor Wilson wrote: “You are always blaming someone else for your problems”. This was the fi rst statement found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct. The full message was less judgmental: “You are always blaming someone else for your problems - I get it... I’m so sorry for your wife’s health struggles. If you need help to pay a parking pass reach out. But don’t keep slamming society... Don’t undo the good that you have already done.”

The Complainant’s response to this offer was: “Wow. You are very childish for an old person. Don’t talk to me ever again” . It was to this that Councillor Wilson replied: “Lol you didn’t even read it... You need help”. This was her second comment that was found to be in breach of the Code of Conduct, although how it could be read that way is difficult to understand, given the Complainant’s insulting comment that preceded it.

The general context is important also. The Complainant was a candidate in the provincial election last year, and Councillor Wilson’s comments included the statement: “If you are thinking about running for any elected position..be careful” That is why she warned him about being so public in placing blame on others. In any event, he lost that election. He wanted to be appointed to Council to replace Jim McManaman, but submitted his application late, and Deb Wilson was given the position. He ran for Council in the Municipal election in October, and that is when he began to talk openly about referring Deb Wilson to the Integrity Commissioner. He lost that election also, and afterwards renewed his complaint against Councillor Wilson. It is somewhat concerning that the Commissioner’s Report quoted only selected portions of the exchanges quoted above. The two sentences involved in the complaint were not quoted fully or in context. The fact that they were part of a private conversation, is also concerning, raising questions about the restrictions on freedom of speech for elected representatives in private contexts. The Complainant should possibly be thankful that he did not succeed in his electoral efforts. Public figures need a thicker skin and, as Councillor Wilson informed him, need to be careful not to be so obviously angry and ageist in their remarks. His comment about Ms. Wilson - “You are very childish for an old person” - does not sit well coming from a white man in his thirties speaking about an older woman. It is in keeping with one he made about another older couple: “He’s just an angry old man with an even angrier wife”. The Complainant suggested the Times should ask him for a comment on this, but, in spite of his claim that “I have successfully demonstrated an impeccable reputation”, his actual reputation is that he and the truth have a very distant relationship, as proved during the past year in comments about this newspaper. I hope he is now satisfied that his apparently fragile ego has been soothed somewhat by Councillor Wilson’s apology. It is, perhaps, more than he deserves based on the evidence. The report of the Integrity Commissioner, based as it is on very selective material, is probably all the sympathy he could expect from a “very childish old person”.

Blood Donor Clinic

The next Blood Donor Clinic at the North Grenville Community Centre will be held on Tuesday, April 11th from 1:00pm till 7:00pm. Major surgeries are planned in the Ottawa hospitals in April, where a large amount of blood will be required. We are calling on all available donors to support this blood donor event. Since the start of the pandemic, across Canada, there are now over thirty thousand less regular blood donors available. Please help and donate. Walk-ins are now permitted. Come, donate and enjoy a donut and refreshments afterwards. Hosted by the local Knights of Columbus Council 5333.