Chatham Councillor Michael Bondy is proposing that a new encampment executive committee be formed.
At the upcoming Monday, September 22, 2025 Council meeting, Bondy’s notice of motion is on the agenda, which would, if approved, “be formed with equal representation from all invested groups” and would be comprised of Council, residents from the encampment area, area business owners and/or operators and administrative personnel from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Meanwhile, administration “has outlined some issues for Council consideration” in relation to the motion.
“An ‘Executive Committee’ is not a type of committee that exists within the Municipality, and so little guidance exists within existing structures to help direct administration on implementation of such a motion,” wrote Kim Crew, director, of housing services and Dave Taylor, Deputy CAO.
“The word ‘Executive’ when used in other contexts, such as business or non-profit corporations, normally suggests that the Committee is a decision making body. In comparison, Council Committees are categorized as ‘authoritative’ or ‘advisory.’ Information about the categorization of committees of Council can be found on the Local Government- Educational Resources page of the Municipality’s website at Educational Resources. If an encampment executive committee were established which is authoritative (decision making), this raises significant governance and legal concerns, as decisions about encampments should only be made by technical professionals, and the elected members of Municipal Council.”
It is unclear from the existing motion, whether this committee is also intended only to deal with one encampment in Chatham, or all encampments across Chatham-Kent, Crew and Taylor added.
“As previously communicated to Council, there are numerous encampments across the community,” Crew and Taylor said.
“The wording in the motion that states that the Committee is to include residents and businesses from the encampment area, raises questions about whether this is only one committee, or a committee for each encampment. The involvement of Councillors on this committee also raises potential procedural obligations for public notice of meetings etc. under laws regarding Council meetings. These are not barriers to creating a committee but are just being flagged for Council to understand the processes that would be required for such a committee.”
Crew and Taylor added: “When a Committee of Council is created, the normal process would be for Council to direct staff to prepare proposed “Terms of Reference” or a Bylaw, in which the role, processes, and authorities of the committee is clearly established. If Council wishes to strike a committee about encampments, it would be recommended that Council direct staff to prepare draft terms of reference for Council to review, discuss and ultimately vote on. As just a few examples of the types of details that would need to be established: the Council composition (number of Councillors, and process for determining which Councillors), which representatives of other groups will be selected, the mandate, role, scope, and staff support, among other things.”
It is also important to note that such a committee would require a diversion of existing staff time, primarily from other housing and homelessness matters, Crew and Taylor said.
“Staff in this area are already tasked with significant work to address increasing issues in housing and homelessness and need to remain focused on existing key strategic priorities of Council in this area,” they added.
“If Council wishes to strike further community groups or committees, it would be recommended that Council consider adding additional financial or staff resources towards this, so that the existing vital housing and homelessness projects are not adversely impacted. CK Police has met with members of the community surrounding the PUC encampment and has provided them with information on how to establish a Neighbourhood Watch group. Similar to previous community groups that have been established in response to specific concerns, administration will participate in these community meetings if/when invited to do so in efforts to share factual information about the services and supports available in the community as well as challenges and barriers to providing these services. If the intent of the proposed motion is primarily for information sharing, continuing this approach and other community wide communications approaches could be considered by Council.”
Administration continues to update the Let’s Talk page dedicated to encampments as information arises, so the community is up to date.
“This approach ensures that information is shared consistently with all community members,” Crew and Taylor said.
“In addition, administration has responded to specific inquiries to community members by email and phone. In line with an existing Council motion, further considerations to communication processes are being reviewed by administration, particularly in light of the most recent changes passed by Council to add a bylaw, and bylaw officers, to the existing encampment response approach.”
They added: “For Council and the Community’s information, a staff Encampment Committee exists with appropriate members of administration who can make decisions based on their division and department responsibilities. Members of this group include Housing Services, Parks, Rec, & Facilities, Public Works, Legal Services, CK Police, CK Fire, PUC. At the August 25, 2025, meeting, Council approved this committee to spend up to $100,000 per exempted encampment site in supports to enhance privacy and community well being. It is administration’s recommendation that this staff committee, with subject matter experts, remains the most appropriate way for dealing with encampment related decisions and recommendations to Council.”
Bondy has stated his intentions to run for Mayor Chatham-Kent in the 2026 Municipal Election.
Monday’s Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
