Why Thunder Bay's temporary shelter village allows drug use in its housing units

Sarah Law · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 07, 2026 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

As residents continue to move into the new temporary shelter village in Thunder Bay, Ont., the project has sparked debate on social media among municipal election candidates about drugs being allowed at the site.

The village, located at 879 Alloy Place, consists of 80 sleeping cabins and common buildings with a kitchen, washrooms and laundry facilities for people experiencing homelessness. Residents have been moving in gradually, and there is no set date for when it will be at full capacity.

Since the village opened last week, CBC News has observed multiple comments online from municipal election candidates about the fact that residents are allowed to use substances, including street drugs, within their units. Drug use is not permitted in common buildings or open spaces at the village.

The comments include questions surrounding what substances are permitted at the village, how often emergency services are expected to respond to incidents, as well as what measures are in place to prevent crime, drug dealing and unsafe behaviour.

CBC News requested an interview with city officials about this and received an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon.

"The city is currently in a municipal election period and administration must remain neutral with respect to issues being debated by candidates. As the temporary shelter village has become part of the election discussion, administration will not comment further," wrote Michelle Williams, manager of communications and public relations.

That said, the city addresses substance use and the role of harm reduction at the village on its website.

A close-up of a LifeguardLite panel inside a unit at the temporary shelter village in Thunder Bay, Ont. These allow residents to press a button when they consume a substance. If the timer runs out before the resident presses the thumbs-up button, staff are alerted that they may need assistance. (Sarah Law/CBC)

"Each unit will have an emergency alert system so staff can respond quickly in the event of an overdose or other emergency," it says.

"In addition, residents will have access to harm reduction support and connections to addictions health care to help them use more safely and, when ready, work toward treatment and recovery."

In this context, the city's website explains that "harm reduction means meeting people where they are, recognizing that not everyone is ready or able to stop using substances."

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Village residents must participate in a support plan as they work toward securing long-term housing. They can live there for up to four years. 

CBC News has asked the city's mayoral candidates about their plans to address homelessness. On-camera interviews are being published online and aired on CBC's Superior Morning leading up to the municipal election on Oct. 26.

Stigma surrounding homelessness, drug use

Lindsay Martin, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario (EFSNWO), said they aren't surprised to hear about public backlash about drugs being permitted at the village.

"I think there is definitely going to be criticism toward that because of the stigma that's already put on people who are unhoused, who are using substances or have mental health or concurrent things going on in their world," Martin said.

"I think Thunder Bay, when it comes down to it, really has a bit of a NIMBY [Not In My Backyard] attitude and stigmatic views towards that population."

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EFSNWO supports women and gender-diverse people involved in the criminal justice system. The organization operates several transitional housing units in town. Martin said these units also faced initial criticism due to lack of understanding about harm reduction housing.

"I think harm reduction is a piece in the puzzle where we're trying to connect with that individual wherever they're at and help them feel that they're worthy enough to make different choices in their world," Martin said.

"Sometimes those choices will lead to treatment, sometimes it'll lead to less substance use, sometimes it'll lead to full abstinence — but there is a spectrum for everyone, not just those who are unhoused in the community."

Lindsay Martin, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario, stands outside one of the organization's transitional living houses in Thunder Bay, Ont. (Amy Hadley/CBC)

EFSNWO's transitional housing program has seen a lot of success, Martin said, in part thanks to staff members with lived experience of the challenges their clients are going through.

Housing-first, harm reduction approach

Elsewhere in northern Ontario, the Lotus Transitional Housing Project has been making strides in Sudbury.

The program — a partnership between Health Sciences North and the City of Greater Sudbury — provides shelter for people experiencing homelessness. This includes 18 to 24 months of support from a dedicated health and support team.

Kristen Morin is an assistant professor at NOSM University and a scientist at Health Sciences North Research Institute. She has been studying the Lotus Transitional Housing Project in Sudbury. (ICES North website)

Kristen Morin is an assistant professor at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University and a scientist at the Health Sciences North Research Institute. She has been researching the Lotus Transitional Housing Project, which is based on a housing-first, harm reduction approach.

"With the population that we looked at, the year before they were housed, the average number of times they visited the emergency department was about 19 times per year," Morin said.

"After being housed for a year, that reduced to under five visits per year."

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Residents have described feeling more stable and supported, she said.

"They are able to now think about rebuilding their lives without stressing about surviving while they're homeless."