A City’s Compassion Tested by Encampments Everywhere

Thunder Bay – Analysis – Over the past year, there has been one issue that has repeatedly been brought to the top of the list by NetNewsLedger readers. That issue is the homeless encampments across the city.

From what looked like a fortress built along the Neebing River by a homeless person who was wearing a hatchet on his belt, to the Kam River Park, the Freedom Park homeless tent city, and a mass of garbage, residents have been left frustrated.

Along waterways, homeless persons are bathing, washing clothes, leaving empty bottles, cans, and a slew of needles behind. For many residents, there is a growing sense of frustration at what they see as a complete failure by City Administration and City Council on dealing with this issue.

Even cleaning up the encampments has lagged and often takes residents complaining to City Council and making repeated calls to Adminstration to realize action. Meanwhile the simple pleasures of going for a walk along some of our city’s beautiful pathways has become a gauntlet run of broken glass, discarded needles, and panhandling.

At issue for many stems from the April 2023 decision when Thunder Bay City Council adopted a human rights–based approach—what some residents now call “Human Rights Plus”—to manage unsheltered homelessness with dignity and care (City of Thunder Bay, 2023).

The Enhanced Encampment Response Plan was to include a no-eviction policy, improved cleanup services, and a 10-part strategy to coordinate city departments, service agencies, and people with lived experience.

Two years later, encampments are found across city parks, along walking trails, in parkettes, and near waterways—sometimes evolving into more permanent makeshift structures. Many residents say their daily walks, shopping trips, and visits to parks are interrupted by panhandling or public disorder, adding to frustration and safety concerns. Garbage seems to collect, and in some areas of the city rats are now joining the mess

“Shed City” vs. Viable Shelter Village

The city is currently moving forward with a Temporary Shelter Village—heated units with hygiene facilities and wraparound supports—as a key solution (City of Thunder Bay, 2025). After reviewing more than 50 sites, administration recommended a location on Alloy Drive for its accessibility and existing infrastructure. This decision came without consulting the area businesses and has generated more frustration.

A decision by Administration to hold a community meeting came after the fact, and many report back that with the decision apparently now set in bureaucratic stone, that meeting was more of a selling job on the site than an actual consultation.

However, critics—including service providers and residents—warn the project risks becoming an isolated “silo” that doesn’t address the broader housing shortage (NetNewsLedger, 2025). Meanwhile, council has rejected proposals to define where encampments can be permitted, further polarizing public opinion.

What is Administration and Council Missing?

What is missed here by Admin and Council is that Thunder Bay residents realize there is a need to act. While some people on social media are expressing frustration seeking putting homeless in jail, or “sending them back where they came from”, the majority of residents would prefer more permanent solutions.

The Shed City concept, a $150,000,000 solution works out to about $150,000 per unit.

Many residents question that cost, especially for a temporary solution. Could that money be put to far better uses? Could in create more permanent housing?

Administration seems fixated on this temporary solution.

Some of the fault should be placed at the feet of TBDSSAB Board Chair and McKellar Ward Councillor Brian Hamilton. Many of the current encampments and several of the proposed sites for the shed city temporary encampment have been in McKellar Ward. Councillor Hamilton has reversed his stand several times, had area business owners and home owners complain about his communications on the issue. Now to be fair Councillor Hamilton has been one of the more open communicators on this project, but his determination to cling to the Human Rights Plus approach has frustrated many of his ward constituents.

Recently at Council, At-Large Councillor Mark Bentz took Councillor Hamilton to task over his comments that Administration knows best and Council isn’t capable of making good decisions.

It is an open demonstration of division around the council chambers, and has not helped solve serious issues.

Building Real, Sustainable Solutions: What Could Truly Help

1. Rapid Housing Conversion & Modular Builds

Cities like Toronto have piloted low-cost insulated micro-shelters and modular housing units that can be deployed quickly. Thunder Bay could repurpose vacant buildings, use shipping containers, or partner with prefab builders to increase stock fast.

2. Permanent Supportive Housing

Research shows that combining housing with on-site health, addictions, and social supports reduces chronic homelessness (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2022).

3. Land-Based Healing Sites for Indigenous Populations

Working with Indigenous leadership, Thunder Bay could develop culturally appropriate safe sites rooted in land-based healing, an approach supported by Nishnawbe Aski Nation and other First Nations partners.

4. Enhanced Outreach + Peer-Led Teams

Mobile outreach teams staffed by social workers, nurses, and people with lived experience can build trust and transition individuals into stable housing more effectively (Government of Canada, 2020).

5. Designated Encampment Zones

While council rejected formal encampment zones, some cities have reduced conflict by establishing serviced, regulated camping areas (City of Victoria, 2021).

6. Mixed-Use Shelter + Employment Programs

Combining shelter with job training or transitional employment—such as Winnipeg’s “Building Futures” program—helps people exit homelessness permanently (End Homelessness Winnipeg, 2022).

7. Civic Donations & Private Sector Engagement

Partnerships with churches, businesses, and property owners to donate space or fund temporary rooms can fill gaps quickly (United Way Canada, 2021).

8. Community Education & Public Consultation

Public forums, information campaigns, and storytelling from people with lived experience can reduce stigma and build consensus (Homeless Hub, 2023).