As Thunder Bay, Ont., develops its new safety plan, community's most vulnerable want a say

Gillian Binnie says she’s tired of people blaming those who are experiencing homelessness for the safety issues communities are facing.

Binnie has lived in Thunder Bay, Ont., since the 1970s. A lot has changed since then, she said, pointing to a rise in drug dealers bringing increasingly toxic substances to the northwest.

“We have a severe crisis on our hands revolving around drugs, drug dealers and increased violence,” she said. “It's very dangerous because you never know who might be on what and how they might react at that given time.”

Nearly a year into recovery from a seven-year struggle with crack cocaine, Binnie said she understands what people living with addiction are going through — and why they’re also worried about safety.

The City of Thunder Bay is in the process of developing a new community safety and well-being plan. Staff have been gathering feedback through community pop-up events, a public forum held last week, and an online survey open until Dec. 15.

From Binnie’s perspective, those with more privilege tend to pin social problems on people like her.

“We're not trying to be a burden to anyone. We're trying to live a life as safe as they are,” she said.

Binnie lives in transitional housing managed by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, which supports women and gender diverse people who are involved in the criminal justice system.

She’s a frequent client at People Advocating for Change Through Empowerment (PACE), which runs a seasonal warming/cooling centre and drop-in space on the city’s south side.

PACE offers people food, clothing and a touchpoint for other social services. There, people can take a shower, use a phone or computer and do their laundry in a safe, supportive environment.

More than 650 people are known to be experiencing homelessness in the city, according to the latest point-in-time count conducted last month.

“I just want people to feel safe,” said Binnie. “People say it's the homeless that are doing all these atrocities. I've seen people from the other side come around and be pretty nasty to homeless people — so it's a two-way street.”

Denzil Bouchard, a PACE client and a member of Pays Plat First Nation, grew up in both Dryden and Thunder Bay. When he thinks of safety, he thinks about the Seven Grandfather Teachings in Anishinaabe culture: love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, wisdom and truth.

For him, safety is “having a friend in everyone.”