Kenora Elections 2026 All Candidates Forum

Question from Donna Wildfong:

Aside from the CSWB, I’ve listed a few key ideas and would like to hear if the candidates feel these actions could benefit Kenora’s rising crisis in relation to Homelessness and Addiction.

As a whole, I keep a positive outlook of hope and compassion. Recognizing our problems are complex and require critical thinking, I feel we must move Kenora forward from the daily suffering we see on our streets by finding workable solutions.

Here are the ideas;

1. Leverage the HART Hub Model:

Secure capital and operational funding from provincial health ministries. For instance, Ontario has heavily invested in Homelessness, Addiction, Recovery and Treatment (HART) Hubs. Smaller hub cities are establishing dedicated Indigenous-led HART Hub programs to blend clinical care, traditional healing, and stabilization beds without draining municipal property taxes.

2. Legalize Alternative Housing Models:

Pass rapid zoning updates to permit modular housing, micro-shelters, and tiny home villages. Traditional zoning bylaws often unintentionally criminalize or block low-cost housing models.

3. Fund a Dedicated Housing Navigator:

Allocate a micro-grant from your city's portion of the federal Reaching Home Rural and Remote streamto fund a dedicated Housing Navigator. This position acts as a liaison, ensuring that anyone leaving a care institution is handed off directly to a supportive housing bed rather than the street.

4. Establish a Data-Driven "By-Name" List

In a population of 15,000, the chronically unhoused demographic is a distinct, knowable group—typically ranging from dozens to a few hundred individuals. You do not need to guess who needs help.

The Shared Registry: Implement a secure, cross-agency digital registry known as a By-Name List. Every frontline agency—from the local food bank to the community hospital—contributes to this single list, tracking the specific acuity level and history of each individual.

Coordinated Discharge Planning: Hold weekly "service tables" where local stakeholders review the list by name. This ensures that individuals being discharged from regional hospitals, mental health facilities, or correctional settings are met immediately with housing supports rather than slipping directly onto the street.

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Answer:

I agree that use of AI in research can be useful, as long as it is reviewed to make sure the research is correct. I did not use AI in my responses.

1. Leverage the HART Hub Model.

The HART or Harm Addiction Recovery Treatment for Kenora was announced in early 2025. I understand it has been active for a while, operating out of the Shelter at Knox United Church. Well funded and well organized, it is intended to address homelessness and addiction by wrapping services around and managing clients in a no use (drugs or alcohol) environment. It is intended to use the idea of wrap around integrated services to assist clients across all providers with the use of a common tracking tool.

2. Legalize Alternative Housing Models:

This needs more thought. I have worked on zoning issues with several municipalities and it is often the unintended consequences of good intentions that mess things up. While it is clear that the planning department needs to keep industrial property away from residential, things get muddy when talking about multi-use residential and single dwelling residential. I do agree that there should be a path for low-cost housing models in our city and that Council must play a role by addressing it in the upcoming Official Plan review. This is the greatest long term issue currently facing our city.

3. Fund a Dedicated Housing Navigator.

This may be covered by the HART hub model but I defer to those involved. It is a good idea, if it can be funded.

4. Establish a Data-Driven "By-Name" List

Also covered by the HART hub concept. We will need to touch base with them to see how well it is working.

The HART hub is new and should be publicized. It addresses several of the action items identified in the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and I see it as complimentary. I particularly applaud CMHA and the other service providers for implementation of this model.

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Question:

A question to all candidates, what is your perspective on the best ways to collaborate with other levels of government to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Kenora and the surrounding areas?

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Answer:

The best strategy when working with other levels of government begins with focused communication built around existing programs and having a consistent message. It is important to show how supporting the city proposal benefits them. Politicians want to look good and bureaucrats want to not look bad. Success with lobbying requires both. I have managed lobbying efforts for several companies. I have met with Premiers, Ministers and many bureaucrats. I have also assisted municipal and First Nations lobbying efforts at both the Federal and Provincial levels. I understand how to work with politicians and bureaucrats to get to YES. I have worked with some of the best lobbyists in the country and learned a few things along the way that would be useful in Council Chambers.