Cochrane services board addresses criticism of info session after Timmins councillor urges leaders to 'better engage with the community' over proposed health hub

Sources tell CTV News that the Cochrane District Services Board now owns the Ramada Inn on Riverside Drive and is working with a number of groups to create a Health Wellness Centre of Excellence.

The Ramada Inn in Timmins is poised to become a Health Hub. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The plan, which includes Mushkegowuk Council, the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Timmins and District Hospital, is to provide a safety net at the property and offer services to people grappling with complex mental health, addiction and housing challenges.

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Board officials were not available for comment on Thursday, but an online information session was hosted by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday that is now available on the chamber’s YouTube channel.

"Somebody could just not walk off the street into this facility, it's all by referral," said Jean Carriere, director of health for Cochrane District Services Board.

"You would have to be with a referral agency, so CMHA, paramedics, family doctors, counsellors. It could even be Living Space that refers people who need treatment to this facility, and they go voluntarily."

The chamber’s video call came two days after a public information session Monday at the Ramada Inn.

Monday's information session

Sources tell CTV News around 300 people attended but there wasn’t enough room to accommodate a few hundred others who were outside.

“We acknowledge the shortcomings of the intended format and are grateful for the strong turnout and valuable conversations that took place,” said Cochrane District Services Board in a news release Friday.

“During the session, 25 professionals from a variety of health and social service agencies were present to gather input, provide information and answer questions from our community members.”

The board said it intended to use a small group format to foster meaningful and more personal discussions.

“Regrettably, the format was not followed as planned, and this limited the opportunity for some participants to fully engage and share their perspectives,” the board said.

“(We) look forward to bringing an improved and simplified format that addresses capacity challenges and ensures individuals have the ability to have their questions answered for future sessions.”

The board said desipite the challenges it gathered important feedback and heard the community's concerns surrounding safety and security.

"Listening to and understanding the concerns of our neighbours remains central to this process," said the board.

"We encourage anyone who was unable to contribute fully at the session to submit their questions and suggestions via (the) online survey."

The board added further information, including the feedback received, will be made publicly available.

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“The wellness centre of excellence will provide critical health services and serve as a hub for education, training, and community development," said Cochrane District Services Board, in its news release.

"The facility's design includes counseling rooms, Indigenous healing spaces, cultural teaching areas, and communal skills development spaces for clients."

The board said that by offering specialized training and outreach clinics, the wellness centre of excellence will support regional care providers and help build capacity throughout the region.

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Timmins Ward 1 Coun. Rock Whissell, whose ward includes where the Ramada is located, has since resigned from the services board because of the way the situation is being handled.

An undated photo of Rock Whissell, Ward 1 councillor for the City of Timmins. (Rock Whissell Ward 1 Councillor City of Timmins/Facebook)

On Whissell’s Facebook page, he wrote:

"The lack of clear communication and organization has only amplified the community’s concerns, leaving many of us without the peace of mind we sought … I urge the CDSB and those in leadership to take immediate steps to better engage with and listen to the community."

Whissell told CTV News he hopes to find out if there are any other locations for the wellness centre and he wants to know who will be operating it.

He declined to be interviewed but said he would share more at the next council meeting.