FORT FRANCES — A survey issued by the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Northwest Community Legal Clinic, and Borderland Pride posed nine questions to the two candidates running to be the next mayor of Fort Frances, gauging their positions on how they would tackle the important challenges facing the town if they are elected.
The survey includes a range of notable topics such as:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Housing and Homelessness
- Mental Health
- Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
Out of the two candidates, Andrew Hallikas’s answers are elaborate, while Ken Perry’s are brief and straightforward.
For example, in the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion category, the candidates were asked how they would define equity and inclusiveness and how that definition would be applied in their leadership.
Hallikas said equity is about fairness and justice.
“It means recognizing that each person has different circumstances and needs. Therefore, different groups of people may require or need different resources and opportunities to be successful and thrive," he wrote. "Inclusiveness means ensuring that everyone has a voice. It means providing an environment within which everyone feels welcome and included. It means getting rid of discrimination and intolerance. My goal as a leader is to ensure that all segments of our community are given representation and are given a voice through their elected representatives.”
Perry said, “Equity: Access to equal opportunity. Inclusiveness: the quality of including different types of people, and treating them fairly and most importantly equally. Applied; there are no special interest groups in my vocabulary.”
Since the Northern Policy Institute released data that shows a spike in homelessness, addiction, and mental health in the Northwest region, particularly in municipalities in Fort Frances, Kenora, and Thunder Bay, the challenges for combating homelessness and housing centre around access to affordability and a systematic reconfiguration of healthcare.
The survey asked both candidate what they believe is the best solution to addressing the needs of the homeless and underhoused populations in Fort Frances, as well as strategies and partnerships that they would pursue.
Hallikas pointed out that Fort Frances has several resources for the unhoused, referencing the point-in-time counts that are used to collect data about the homeless population which is then shared with the Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board. The social services board runs a winter shelter in a former church, which is also used for the town's safe beds program. The social services board also partners with Riverside Health Care for a Rapid Access Addiction Medicine program, and works with individuals to find permanent employment and housing.
He also acknowledged that addressing homelessness won’t be an overnight process and will take all levels of government. At the municipal level, Hallikas said that “municipal officials need to sit on the various committees that are attempting to work on the problem of homelessness. This is something that I am presently doing and will continue to do.
However, on a provincial level, Hallikas said his "goal is to be active in any and all attempts to lobby the provincial government for proper funding for our local organization.”
Perry’s answer isn’t as detailed as Hallikas’s. Perry said there is "vacant housing stock that takes too long between vacant and ready for next occupancy.” He also suggests that the question of homelessness and housing is “better asked of the district social services board.”
A strong partnership with Indigenous partners is prevalent for municipal officials in an era of Truth and Reconciliation. The town signed a Joint Declaration of Intent and Friendship with the Agency One First Nations in 2019.
The survey asks the mayoral candidates about what the municipality can do to improve its relationship with local Indigenous people and to reflect Indigenous identity in the community.
In his response, Perry didn't address what he would do to improve the town's relationship with the Indigenous community if he is elected. He referenced a discussion he had with an Agency One chief about the 2019 declaration.
"In speaking to one of the Agency One Chiefs, he/she states the same feelings. His/her exact words, “not worth the paper it is written on. You continue to be the judge,” Perry wrote.
Hallikas said the municipality needs to meet regularly with the Agency One First Nations.
“Another important commitment is to strike a committee or working group to make recommendations on matters related to reconciliation. The Municipality needs to reach out to local First Nations and show support and appreciation for their cultural and economic accomplishments and seek to partner with them on matters that affect the community and the Rainy River District," he said. "Mayor and council must recognize that many First Nations people are residents of Fort Frances and that mayor and council also represent them and must give them a voice.”
To see the full survey and their responses, click on the link.
