Motion for dedicated housing and homelessness subcommittees fails in close council vote

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

At its March 18th meeting, councillors voted down a motion to establish an affordable housing subcommittee and a homelessness subcommittee.

Currently, the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee tackles both issues. Counc. Conny Glenn, who brought the motion forward, argued that the issues are too immense and different to be considered in one meeting.

Councillors opposed largely referenced the committee review currently underway, with a report and recommendations for changes to existing committees expected in November 2025.

“Right now, I think it’s very difficult to see what we can achieve because of that overwhelming feeling that we have,” Glenn argued before council. “… Given the pressing nature of the situation we’re in and how this is likely to become a worse situation for us as well as other municipalities across the country, I think there’s a sense of urgency here.”

Ultimately, the motion was defeated by a narrow margin, with six councillors in favour and seven opposed.

Listen to the full story here.