Safe Communities panel tackles timely issues at AGM

Another successful AGM is nothing new for your 161-year-old Chamber, but the expert panel convened for yesterday’s meeting could not have been more topical.

“Safe communities is a long-standing advocacy priority for us, and we know there is no simple solution,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “A true fix requires a collaborative approach, though as we learned yesterday there are things we can do to improve symptoms while we work on more permanent solutions.”

After a series of reports of violent incidents in media, Chamber members had many questions about policing, mental health support and housing services.

The need for more homes for all income levels is clear, as is a requirement for adequate health care and addiction treatment professionals. Those solutions will take time, even as the political will grows to invest in foundational change.

While mistakes have been made, including in the early days of the pandemic when screening for supporting housing wasn’t as closely monitored as it is now, progress is being made. The Chamber is working on policy issues such as legal reforms to keep repeat offenders off the street, and police are partnering with health authorities to enforce laws while assisting people in distress.

“We can’t ignore these issues facing the business community, but we also have a responsibility to not sensationalize them,” Williams said. “Going Downtown is safe and our region really is one of the best cities in the world. That said, as with any city, if you don’t feel safe, stay away from the few spots that are troubled, stay informed about what governments are doing and let’s all be part of positive change.”