Whissell quits CDSB over wellness centre, council seeks clarity

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Cochrane District Services Board’s plan to establish the Timmins and Area Wellness Centre of Excellence – Health Hub at the Ramada Inn isn’t sitting well with some members of city council.

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In fact, Ward 1 Coun. Rock Whissell went so far as to quit his position as one of seven council representatives on the board over his displeasure with how things have been handled to this point.

Whissell told council at a Sept. 17 meeting he was disappointed in the public consultation session held for the proposed addiction treatment centre on Sept. 9.

“The meeting did little to provide the necessary details and instead of answers, it left us with more questions about the future of this project and its impact on our community,” he said, adding the experience led him to step down from the Cochrane District Services Board.

“I am not against the concept of a wellness centre,” he said. “In fact, I believe it holds potential for positive changes. However, it’s crucial that this project be operated by professional mental health and addiction (providers),” he said adding different locations should be considered.

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Council passed a resolution for the project’s partners to make a presentation to council and answer any outstanding questions.

Mayor Michelle Boileau noted the city has not yet been asked for its support of the project, and does not have the authority to ask organizers to pause a process they are not directly involved in.

Ward 2 Coun. Lorne Feldman stressed the importance of an addictions treatment centre in Timmins, but understood the public’s need for answers.

“I think people want to know first and foremost, how individuals will be referred to a facility like this, how it will be operated, how it will be secured,” he said.

“But there are other questions, and very valid ones, being asked about what will happen when individuals wish to wish to exit the facility, because we all know we cannot compel any individual to stay in rehabilitation, if it’s against their will,” he said.

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The Timmins and Area Wellness Centre of Excellence would house 30 addiction treatment beds, with the rest in the 100-bed former Ramada Inn operated by other project partners North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre,.

Different services will be the purview of different organizations.

Addiction treatment and withdrawal management would be offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association-Cochrane Temiskaming Branch, the Timmins and District Hospital, and the Jubilee Centre.

The Cochrane District Services Board will be the landlords but will not operate the centre. The governance structure is still being determined, according the CDSB.

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CDSB social workers will be on staff and the CDSB will provide supportive and transitional housing services and access to Ontario Works.

Ward 5 Coun. Steve Black was appointed to replace Whissell on the CDSB board.

“I’ve been saying since I started to put my name in the run for council we need a treatment facility in the City of Timmins. It is, in my opinion, and I have said it before, the number one infrastructure project we should all be able to get behind and support because we need to be able to offer people help when they want it.”

Black has spoken to families who have lost loved ones who couldn’t get help in time.

He said Chief Administrative Officer Brian Marks clarified the facility would not allow drug use, and would not be a low-barrier shelter.

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“These are all concerns I’ve had and concerns many residents have had, given some of the other facilities in our community and the impacts on surrounding neighborhoods,” Black said.

Black said the communication that went out to area residents prior to the Sept. 9 open house was lacking in many ways and supported the idea of the team making a deputation to council.

Black said that agreements and leases related to the project must ensure the facility operates as intended.

Ward 5 Coun. Andrew Marks said Whissell’s decision to resign from the CDSB couldn’t have been an easy one.

“Did the initial launch get botched? Absolutely,” said Marks.

“And now it’s digging out from the hole and that’s unfortunate because of the negative perception that has been placed within our community.”

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Marks stressed the need for an addiction treatment centre in the community, echoed the need for transparency, and took the opportunity to remind council of the project’s aims and its broad support.

He pointed out that the Wellness Centre of Excellence proposal is in response to Sylvia Jones’ recent announcement of $378 million for new homeless and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs.

“The funding will be utilized to provide a blend of withdrawal management treatment and support beds, which are crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of the wellness centre,” he said, reading from a prepared statement.

“The centre will serve as a hub for health services, education, training, and community development. The facility’s design includes Indigenous healing spaces, cultural teaching areas, counselling rooms and skills development spaces for clients. By providing services such as assertive community treatment, case management, community withdrawal management, mobile crisis response and residential beds, the centre is well positioned to improve client outcomes and enhance the overall quality of life,” Marks read, adding he supports the project.

In addition to organizations already mentioned, other project partners are Mushkegowuk Council, the Urban Indigenous Service Partners, the Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services, Timmins Academic Family Health Team, Northern College, and Timmins and District Hospital.

But Ward 3 Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic wasn’t so sure a presentation to city council is the correct approach.

“Find a way to talk to the people and then come and talk to us,” he said.

Boileau pointed out, however, council meetings are forums by which information can get out to the public.

With files from Nicole Stoffman

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