A federal representative was in town to promote measures from the latest budget that directly target one of the region’s biggest challenges: homelessness. Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall hosted Toronto Area member of parliament Vince Gasparro at City Hall on Thursday. Gasparro focused almost exclusively on Ottawa’s $30 billion commitment to end homelessness across the nation over the next decade. “Homelessness is a complex issue,” Gasparro said in an interview with CTV News. “It’s a housing issue. It is a law enforcement issue. It is a mental health and addictions issue and you need partners in the public and private sector working together,” Gasparro said. While the federal government is putting forth billions in funding, the bulk of the frontline work falls on provincial and municipal governments to directly administer aids such as shelters and other support services. “I think there’s some some great things in the budget to look at supportive housing, to look at addictions and to take a comprehensive approach to funding what we know are amongst the largest issues in each of our cities across the country,” said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall. In addition to local level support, Gasparro emphasized the federal government’s role in expediting new housing initiatives to achieve the lofty goal over the next 10 years. “There’s more coming and that’s our commitment to the city of Barrie. To make sure that they get the support they need for housing in this great city,” Gasparro said. Homelessness response has been a key pillar in Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall’s re-election campaign. With files from CTV’s Jack Morse.
