Council briefs: Decisions made about Blackfriars Bridge, a new councillor and shelters
James Chaarani | CBC News | Posted: November 17, 2021 12:39 PM | Last Updated: November 17, 2021
Here's a look at what London city councillors decided Tuesday
Blackfriars Bridge will open to vehicular traffic again
Blackfriars Bridge will see traffic again, for now anyway.
This is following debate by council, looking at the merits of allowing or prohibiting vehicular traffic. The vote saw eight in favour of re-opening, and five opposed.
It's slated to re-open to traffic at the end of next week.
As a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, and wanting to make more outdoor space that's safe for pedestrians to physically distance, the bridge was closed to vehicles in April 2020.
On Tuesday, city staff said they're unable to continue to justify it's closure for "emergency health and safety purposes" when circumstances surrounding COVID have changed.
Next steps include coming up with traffic studies and engaging with the public to see what they want, at which point it's possible for the bridge to shut again.
"As Coun. [Maureen Cassidy] said, we can't keep opening and closing this," said Ward 13 Coun. John Fyfe-Millar who put forward a deferral that led to the re-opening of the bridge. "We need a final decision. We need to close this book but let's close it with the right information."
City's winter homeless program scaled back
Council approved plans for their Winter Response Program for Unsheltered Individuals, which includes temporary shelters at Fanshawe Golf Course starting Dec. 1.
But the stabilization space that was to be provided by CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services as part of the city's larger program, will not be available anymore. It would have seen 5 to 10 additional crash beds at the Hamilton Road location for people experiencing an addiction or mental health crisis.
The program council approved also includes an Indigenous-led winter shelter which is to be run by Atlohsa Family Healing Services. River Road Golf Course was optioned as the potential site, but following an alleged arson attack organizers are looking for a new location.
According to the city, Atlohsa doesn't feel that River Road Golf Course is "welcoming" or "safe." The city hopes to finalize a new site in the "very near future" and they're "very optimistic."
"I think it's important for the City of London as a whole, as people, to get behind this initiative," said Coun. Cassidy, adding that she wants "to tell the Indigenous community that Londoners are committed to reconciliation."
Debate prior to vote seeing appointment of Mariam Hamou
Council dove into a lengthy debate, questioning whether or not a transparent or coherent process was followed in choosing the next Ward 6 councillor.
After the back-and-forth, they proceeded with a vote to fill the spot, which saw Mariam Hamou pick up enough support to formally become the new London city councillor of Ward 6.
Hamou gained the majority of the support by the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on Nov. 15 in what was a cliffhanger of a vote.
Committee support was secured then in a run-off vote, following a tie in the previous round of voting. Coun. Michael van Holst changed his vote to avoid the winner being drawn out of a jar.