SaltToday

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

This new vacant home tax is joke! Why should I rent out my home, To anyone! Is the City going to help me if the renter doesn't pay, or is a squatter? if I'm not there for 183 days in a year, that's none of the City's business, I've paid my taxes!

- 48Topo

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

We just passed my motion to have a review of the shelter and housing stabilization processes by the county. The changed proposed by the mayor would leave almost no places for people to be in the city and certainly no where near resources. Adding such a huge change to an agenda with no public feedback processes, past the delegation signup and right before the lame duck period for council is a bad call.

- Erin Caton

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

To all my neighbours: mind your own business. More government meddling in people’s lives. Maybe the citizens group mentioned above should expend their energy cleaning up a park.

- TQ

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Mayor Guthrie slipped this into the agenda at the last minute. Effectively blocking public delegations. No wonder. The proposal directs staff to essentially prohibit encampments virtually anywhere in the city with no alternative plan. Even if one supports the premise (and of course, many do) there's no viable enforcement resources behind this. This is essentially Mayor Guthrie's last bit of political theater before he goes. How telling and how very sad. The real story is which councillors will endorse or reject this last shoddy last act.

- David Gibson

Northwestern Ontario wildfires fuelling poor air quality in region

Yeah the air quality is terrible and the planet is on fire but let’s all just keep arguing about parking, driving those gas guzzlers and telling anyone else on a bike or alternative form of transport that they are the nuisances. God bless the oil and automotive industries!

- Jay Esse

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Where are these people supposed to go? Society is failing its people. We should be providing housing for everyone who needs it, not restricting them from living ANYWHERE and criminalizing being unhoused.

- DeeDee A

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

The Secret Police

- J Seriously?

Council approves upgraded design for Wood development

"Winding pathways"This development straddles a rail line that has long been the site of a planned rail trail. If you want bikes to be useful as commuting tools and off the streets, you don't put in winding pathways. Instead we keep making decisions that only serve to force you to buy more cars and buy more gas. While we're all broke and the planet is burning to the point the air is unbreatheable. What is wrong with these people?

- Matt Saunders

Trash cleaned up at former IMICO site

Worthwhile but costly. Would be nice if the City could find a permitted use for the land after 30 years of vacancy.

- OldCityGal

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

What's next, no shelters within city limits?

- usr_685740

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

This isn't the first time the Mayor has changed or added to an agenda without proper public process. Ironic as I think his comment last week at council with regards to an agenda item was he is against big government or government over stepping (what exactly is this) . I agree with Erin Caton, where will the homeless be allowed to go. The Mayor should be instead adding recommendations on how we can better provide them with the necessities/ services they need and at the same time provide timely action on maintaining the areas around them that they are are occupying. It is sad that so many have nowhere to call home.

- Lorraine Pagnan

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Recipe for a terrible city full of misery and squalor.

- Matt Saunders

Council approves upgraded design for Wood development

3 stories fits, 23 definitely doesn't.

- Wanda Fabbian

Heritage Conservation District Plan welcomes weird in the Ward

We don't need Heritage Designation in the Ward.We need another Hospital 🏥 in the Royal City

- usr_714496

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Cut the grass and plow the snow. Nothing else.

- B Be

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

@Erin Caton - what date should the public expect to see the full results of that review??? You mention "no other places," but has anyone produced a map showing the impact of the proposed setback zones?? Without that, I don't think Cam can demonstrate there are realistic alternatives... but by the same token, your claim would also be unsubstantiated...

- Adam Cloet

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

So, If I'm gone out of town for 3 months, I'd have to pay a 4% tax hike on my home, if it ain't rented out, for that period of time....What does the Home owner, do with all his belongings? put them in storage every time they go away for 3 months. Or does the renters also get to use my furniture/clothing/ vehicle in the garage etc. etc. Why doesn't the City fund housing for the ones in need, instead of throwing it in the lap of the home owners

- 48Topo

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

No . If you go out of town for 3 months you don't have to pay anything. It says 183 days. Did you think it said 83? The law isn't meant to target homeowners who live in their home. The law is to discourage people who buy houses as an investment and leave them empty to drive up the price of real estate and rentals by reducing the supply. Corporations or foreign investors in particular.

- DR64

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

I would suggest the Homeless are failing themselves-why shoulder the blame or responsibility? Some accountability is necessary and long overdue. These are grown adults, it is fair to have some expectations from them.

- usr_701203

You can now report vacant homes to city hall

Darn snitch police, unbelievable

- Paul Bb