Residents near proposed consumption treatment services site say they weren’t consulted

Local Hamilton city councillor Nrinder Nann is the target of an integrity commissioner report regarding the location of a consumption treatment services site on Barton Street east. Residents living in the area say they weren’t consulted.

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Barring the Ministry of Health’s approval, Hamilton’s second consumption treatment services site could be at 746 Barton Street east. Tim McClemont, the executive director of the local AIDS Network says the location is based on statistical need.

McClemont says public health was unable to find a city-owned site and The AIDS Network stepped in to suggest the location which is currently a Portuguese restaurant that had a willing landlord.

However, a group called “Residents in the Barton Gage Sherman Neighbourhood” led by former Mayor Bob Bratina say they were never consulted prior to the location being named.

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Bratina says, “the last face-to-face meeting the residents had, I believe was in May of 2022 and then on February the 10th, 2023, the residents found out at an online news site that there was going to be a meeting about this, which turned out to be final approval.”

The group is filing a complaint to the integrity commissioner against Ward 3 councillor Nrinder Nann for a lack of communication. They also took issue with the councillor’s phrasing during a council meeting back in February regarding concerned residents. Nann said, “I have received accounts of individuals in medical distress who are experiencing the effects of toxic drug supply, being exploited and manipulated and harmed in the area by those who oppose this application. This is completely inhumane and fully criminal in my eyes.”

The concerned residents say they want a more transparent process. Business owner Walter Furlan says, “so we’re looking first and foremost for consultation. We want recognition that it’s close to vulnerable populations, such as a daycare within 200 meters and a facility that serves patients with intellectual disabilities.”

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McClemont says there have been talks with the community, “we did consult, we met with folks down in that area face to face, one on one, at meetings, at different organizations…”

Nann released a statement regarding the integrity commissioner filing and while she explained that resident concerns were passed from her to The AIDS Network, she did not answer questions on what communications were sent to residents concerning the issue.