Latest news with #DarrinCanniff
CBC
29-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Chatham-Kent council defers decision on possible encampment relocation
Social Sharing Residents of a Chatham-Kent homeless encampment will have to wait until next month to find out if they have to move again. Municipal council voted to defer a decision that could relocate the encampment on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) lands. Councillors passed a motion at a special meeting Monday night to have staff prepare a report outlining which municipal properties homeless people could camp on if they had to stay up to 100 metres away from residential properties. Staff will present options specific to the community of Chatham at council's August meeting and to the rest of the communities in the municipality in September. "My reason for asking for this is just to make sure that we don't repeat what just happened," said Coun. Allyson Storey, referring to the outcry from neighbours of the PUC lands that precipitated Monday's special meeting. "It is not an attempt to delay," Storey said. Where else could campers go? Many homeowners near the PUC lands say they were blindsided by the arrival of the campers approximately two weeks ago after the municipality broke up an encampment on the riverfront to make way for slope stabilization work. They told councillors Monday they were angry at not having been consulted over decisions about where campers could move. Storey's motion was a response to a motion by Mayor Darrin Canniff, which proposed amending Chatham-Kent's encampment protocol to prohibit camping within 100 metres of a residential property. Currently, the proscribed distance is within 10 metres. Storey said she wanted to know what options would be available to campers if the set-back radius was set at 25, 50 or 100 metres — and to give residents a chance to weigh in on any changes. If council had passed Canniff's motion as moved, there would only be two places in all of Chatham where homeless people could camp, Bruce McAllister told councillors. "It would be Thames Grove," said the municipality's general manager of development services. "If you go to 100 metres, you could still accommodate at the very southeast corner of the property a number of tents there. … The other potential option is Paxton's Bush." Councillors did adopt the remaining components of Canniff's motion, which laid out a number of measures aimed at eliminating homelessness and reducing complaints about encampments in the meantime. Those steps include: Requesting that staff prepare reports on options for delivering permanent supportive housing and more transitional cabins; identify properties that could be converted into supportive housing; and engage partner organizations such as mental health service providers to provide services in encampments. Transitioning as many homeless people as possible into the municipality's new transitional cabins. Continuing to work with R.O.C.K. (Reach Out Chatham-Kent) to house as many homeless people as possible. Permitting only one tent per person in encampments and requiring all possessions to be kept inside tents except for bicycles and small structures for pets. Hiring additional bylaw officers to enforce bylaws in encampments. Having police install CCTV cameras as needed at their discretion. Beginning regular communication with residents in the area around the PUC property. Councillors did not consider a motion put forward by Coun. Michael Bondy, which would've required campers to dismantle their campsites and disperse during daytime hours. The four-hour meeting opened with 17 delegations from neighbours of the encampment and advocates for homeless people. Some residents expressed concern about their property values and spoke of feeling unsafe in their neighbourhoods. They complained of garbage, vandalism and attempted break-ins. "When it was announced that the homeless population of Chatham would be relocated to the waterworks facilities, many teams decided they would no longer practice at that location," said John Foster, president of the Chatham Soccer Club. "Many parents are concerned with their children using a facility with such close proximity to possible drug use exposure, drug paraphernalia hazards, lewd behaviour ... including going to the washroom in public fully exposed." But some residents also said they wanted better solutions than to simply move the encampment to another neighbourhood. Larry Hutchins called for increased policing, 24-hour security and regular reports about addressing neighbourhood concerns. Advocates for the homeless, meanwhile, urged residents to view homeless individuals as members of their community who have had to resort to camping in public spaces because of systemic failures to address poverty, mental health issues and addiction. The general manager of Chatham Hope Haven said many of her clients live in the encampment, and they don't like it any more than their neighbours do because they are farther from the services they need for survival. It's absurd to think that moving them will help, Loree Bailey said. "I get being angry," she said. "I'm really angry too. I'm angry at every single system that these folks rely on to live being broken." Priest and soup kitchen volunteer Michael Bolohan urged the community to go beyond managing the housing crisis to experiencing what he called a "conversion of heart." "The ego driven part of us, obsessed with control, comfort and certainty, will always resist the presence of those who disrupt our illusions of safety and prosperity," he said. "Encampments do just that. They confront us with the failure of our systems, fragility of human life, and the lie that success and worth is the same thing."
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Permanent move or daily dismantling?: Chatham-Kent mulls encampment response
A response to the latest site of a homeless encampment in Chatham-Kent will be the topic of discussion at a meeting on Monday evening. Darrin Canniff, the municipality's mayor, called a special meeting to address growing concerns over the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission property along Grand Avenue. 'While we must show empathy and understanding for those experiencing homelessness, I believe Chatham-Kent Council also has a responsibility to support the safety, well-being, and quality of life for neighbouring residents and businesses,' Canniff posted to social media on Friday. 'Chatham-Kent is one of the only municipalities that has created a protocol to deal with encampments, but I believe it needs to be strengthened to offer further protection for homeowners, businesses, and neighbourhoods.' On June 14, those living in an encampment along the Thames River were forced to relocate to facilitate slope stabilization work along the waterway. Without direction on where they must go, many people ended up at the PUC property. It's been estimated that upwards of 40 tents are pitched at the site ahead of Monday's meeting. Under an encampment protocol developed by the municipality, unhoused individuals cannot shelter within 10 metres of a private property line. A notice of motion Canniff plans to present to council asks for the protocol to be amended to raise the limit to 100 metres. It also calls for individuals to be limited to one tent each, and that all personal items be stored within their tent. 'This is a complex and constantly evolving situation, and I'm committed to continuing efforts until Chatham-Kent develops a solution to end the need for encampments entirely,' Canniff wrote. The mayor's motion further calls for added work to ensure all housing options are exhausted, more bylaw officers are hired to enforce the protocols, and new CCTV cameras are installed at the discretion of the Chatham-Kent Police Service. When encampment residents moved to the PUC property, those living nearby told CTV News they were concerned about how it would impact the neighbourhood. On July 16, Chatham-Kent police issued a reminder to the public that 9-1-1 is for emergencies only, after receiving calls regarding people camped out on the PUC property. A separate notice of motion by Coun. Michael Bondy seeks to have those living in encampments dismantle their tents each morning, with permission to return each night. Since the encampment moved, Bondy said he's been inundated by messages from 'very upset' residents. 'First of all, they weren't notified. There was zero consultation with the residents in that area of town, and, of course, there's many businesses too that are affected,' Bondy told CTV News. Through his motion, bylaw and police officers will have the power to 'remove, seize, and impound' items that are still there during unpermitted hours. Bondy believes his motion 'strikes a balance' between those residing in nearby homes and those in tents. He noted residents feel a sense of 'intimidation' that prevents them from using nearby trails. 'So that would eliminate stuff in these parks during the course of the day, which is when the general public typically uses these things,' Bondy said. 'The motion stipulates that that would be effective, one hour before sundown and up until one hour after sunrise.' Referencing time he spent working at a homeless shelter in London, Bondy noted those using the services would have to leave during the day. 'It gave them like some structure, so they had to sleep at night, and during the day they were out and about,' he explained. The councillor admitted constituents he's spoken with want to see an outright ban rather than a daily limitation. The motions will both go before council at Monday's meeting , which starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers. — with files from CTV's Chris Campbell.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New residential development announced in Chatham
A rendering of a new 774-unit residential development in Chatham. (Source: Municipality of Chatham-Kent) York Developments has announced a new residential development announced in Chatham. The municipality of Chatham-Kent has received applications to amend local official plan policies and zoning by-law regulations to permit a new residential development at 770 St. Clair Street. The property was originally planned for a home improvement store, but the developers are now seeking to build a new 774-unit residential development, including two 14-storey, and two 12-storey buildings. The development is planned in two phases, with the first phase consisting of the construction of one tower, and the second phase consisting of the construction of the remaining three towers. Location of new development Location of new development in Chatham. (Municipality of Chatham-Kent) Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff says this is another sign that Chatham-Kent is a growing, welcoming and attractive community to invest in. 'York Developments has already proven to be a great developer in our community, and I am very pleased that they have continued to invest in Chatham-Kent,' said Canniff. 'Chatham-Kent is growing, and I'm excited to see these new buildings take shape over the next few years.' Chatham-Kent Council is expected to consider applications to amend local planning policies and regulations for the site this summer. More technical site and building approvals are needed before the project will advance to construction.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New Wheatley plans pave path for a revitalized downtown
Officials released new plans on Saturday to breathe new life into Wheatley, almost four years after the explosion. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Nearly four years after an explosion rocked the community of Wheatley, officials are charting a course to turn the wreckage into a welcoming space. Residents gathered at the explosion site in the downtown core Saturday morning for the release of the new conceptual plans. 'This town rallied, it supported neighbours, it asked hard questions, it collaborated and above all, it never gave up on what could be,' Darrin Canniff, the Mayor of Chatham-Kent, told a crowd of more than 200 people. 070625 About 200 people walked the lot in downtown Wheatley, where an explosion levelled several buildings in 2021. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Dignitaries from all three levels of government and representatives from frontline stakeholders spoke on the lengthy recovery process needed to restore Wheatley. Moving forward, Canniff predicted the town would become the fastest-growing community in Chatham-Kent. 'We're here today to dream a dream of the future of Wheatley, of what it can be,' Canniff said. 'I believe in this community that five years, ten years from now, we will look back and say, wow, look at how amazing this community is.' On July 19, 2021, an emergency was declared in Wheatley following the detection of Hydrogen Sulfide gas. The following month, on Aug. 26, an explosion occurred at 15 Erie Street North and expanded the emergency evacuation zone. In 2024, following site demolition, a successful investigation, and the plugging of an uncovered well, municipal officials deemed the emergency order over. Developed by Fotenn Planning and Design, two conceptual plan options released on Saturday feature a heavy incorporation of green space, gardens and places for people to gather. The space would be anchored by the many small businesses that fill the downtown core. Howard Gabert, the chair of the Wheatley Task Force, told CTV News they are still working to decide the fate of existing infrastructure on the property. As of Saturday, a scrubbing system and an abandoned wellhead were still visible at the site. 'So, that's what the two designs are, one of them retains it on an above-ground structure for managing the scrubber system, while the other one has a design that doesn't incorporate all of that,' Gabert said. Last year, council approved the acquisition of buildings affected by the explosion, beginning the demolition process and paving the way forward for a streamlined process. Because of Wheatley's ties to the water and fishing, one design plans for a boat in the park's core. Gabert said the designs are heavily fuelled by community feedback they've received. 'I think what you see in the design is elements of appreciation for nature, you'll have systems that are going to integrate into the community and to be what we're referring to as Wheatley's backyard,' Gabert added. After a long road, Gabert said they are looking forward to moving past the 'tragic' event. With solidified funding from the province, Gabert said there's hope work can begin in the coming months while they continue to solidify the final design. -With files from CTV's Chris Campbell.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘It would effectively destroy it': Chatham-Kent mayor urges Queen's Park to stop Dresden landfill reboot
Chatham Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff spoke before the Standing Committee on the Interior Thursday, urging MPPs to remove a section of Bill 5 (Source: Legislative Assembly of Ontario)
