Any Porta-Potty in a Storm

On Wednesday, just as St. John’s was bracing for a storm, the City announced it was closing the public bathrooms at Bannerman Park until further notice. The decision was made in response to concerns about the health and safety of residents and staff stemming from “vandalism and misuse” of the property. Some of the examples they listed were: the presence of needles, clogged toilets, fixtures being damaged or removed, and of course, “human waste on the floor.”  The inclusion of these details reads like a defense, as if to say, “See? These people don’t deserve to have access to the bathrooms because just look at how they treat them!” It’s ironic that we expect people at the encampment to somehow act like “civilized” human beings when we have been treating them as if they aren’t human at all. 

The City’s announcement came just days after social work students showed up at City Hall—armed with a porcelain toilet wrapped in a rusty chain—to demand the City extend the bathroom hours overnight to accommodate unhoused folks. “Mayor Breen do you poop after 8 PM?” read one sign. Mayor Danny Breen was not on the scene to respond, nor were any members of the council. However, they were all accounted for (Cllr Ian Froude notwithstanding) the next day at Tuesday’s regular council meeting. Public bathrooms were not on the agenda, but clearly, conversations had happened elsewhere. Cllr Ophelia Ravencroft claims she was against the decision to remove bathroom access, Cllr Maggie Burton insists the City’s hands are tied; it’s entirely up to the province now. In the meantime, the bathrooms are locked, awaiting the hail-mary-porta-potties from the province. According to Minister John Abbott, they will not be coming; the bathrooms are the City’s responsibility. 

It’s easy to take the bathroom “vandalism and misuse” as the reason we can’t have nice things, as just another “tragedy of the commons.” According to this cynical logic, people will always ruin shared resources because what is owned by all is cared for by none. It’s not true of course, but the simplicity of this story is seductive; it lets us off the hook. If we believe people are the worst, and solely responsible for the circumstances they’re in, then we don’t have to care, or take a modicum of responsibility for how we treat them.  

What’s worse though, it prevents us from seeing the real tragedy here–and it’s not the apparent state of the bathroom, but the state of humanity. The City dangling bathroom access before people like it’s some kind of carrot is a case in point. By all appearances, the city has been more protective towards its precious bathroom than it has towards the people using it. While residents and staff are afforded safety, security, and dignity, the people at the encampment are being treated like a blight on city property. Conscious or not, it’s hard not to see a defiled bathroom as the last bastion of expression for the voiceless and the powerless. 

After reading some of the troubling responses to the City’s decision, and to the tent encampment in general, it needs to be said, and said again: people should have access to basic human needs– whether we believe they deserve it or not. It’s not about deserving. Deserve is a calculation. Calculating who deserves what and who doesn’t is a slippery slope, and we’re all equally vulnerable to its whims. It’s never been more urgent that we secure the value of human life. 

We like to say human life has intrinsic, inherent value–but it’s not true. We have to give it value,  and we do this through our attention and care. The only difference between a stranger and someone we love, afterall, is the amount of attention and energy we give to them. If we don’t have empathy or compassion–that’s fine, but that’s a limitation of our imagination and our capacity, and it has nothing to do with the limits of the person standing before us.  

Back to Regular Programming

This week’s regular council meeting was a fulsome one, clocking in at almost two hours. Everyone was present, except Cllr Froude, while Cllr Burton attended remotely. Council approved a proposed fence in the floodplain buffer at 12 Gallipoli St. in the city’s east end, and two applications for discretionary use: one for a spa in a home at 10 Blue Jacket Pl., and the other for a new dwelling unit at 24 Lemarchant Rd. 

They also approved the Islamic Circle of North America’s application to extend its hours of operation at its place of worship on 47 Smith Ave. There’s an early start to accommodate variations in dawn prayer times. After intensive consultation with the Islamic Circle and neighborhood residents, Cllr Ravencroft was satisfied that there were mitigation strategies in place to limit early morning noise. It’s nice to see the building, which previously housed the evangelical Christian Gospel Hall, accommodating the growing Muslim community in the area. 

Council also awarded Bishop’s Cranes Ltd. an annual contract for overnight snow removal for approximately $1 million with opportunities to extend. There was no word on if the contract is affected by how much snow we get in the run of a year.

 “Trickle Down” Housing

While the design of a new dwelling at 39 Battery Rd. was approved without fanfare, there was much discussion about KMK Capital’s proposed 10-storey apartment building development at 34 New Cove Rd. — what is now Max Fitness. Incidentally this is also where my nephew had his 5th birthday party this year. When my mother told him it was going to be torn down he was very upset. “But why?” he asked. “So people who need a place to live will have one,” she replied. If only it were that easy.   

The council approved the areas redesignation, and its rezoning from an Institutional zone to an Apartment 3 zone to enable the development. All of the counselors were in favour, noting its auspicious location, and pointing out the benefits of the building’s size and height which will reduce development costs, hopefully benefitting buyers and renters down the line. Building up will also increase density and reduce urban sprawl. While the affordability of these units has yet to be determined, the consensus among council members seemed to be that any increase in the supply of housing stock at this juncture is welcome. 

“Housing, housing, housing, we need to build more housing,” Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary said. Indeed, we do need more units, especially those of the one- or two-bedroom kind. It’s what the market wants, Cllr Ravencroft remarked. Cllr Jamie Korab noted that regardless of whether or not these New Cove Rd. units will be affordable, the increase in dwellings will have a “trickle down” effect. 

But it’s well established that the trickle down effect is a fantasy that’s too good to be true. When it comes to housing, just as it comes to wealth, people at the bottom rarely benefit from the windfalls enjoyed by people at the top. Even if these new units are relatively affordable, rents always go up when tenants move out. The vacancies that will arise as people move into new units are not likely to make a big difference to people facing financial barriers.

Creating designated affordable housing is still needed, as Cllr Ravencroft pointed out. For-profit developers, after all, are not going to solve our housing challenges. It’s the market and the policies we use to regulate it that play an important part in whether or not that housing will be “affordable.” 

This point should not be lost on Mayor Breen, who reminded everyone that the federal government’s decision to drop HST for the construction of new apartment buildings is a big reason why the City is seeing more proposals for larger buildings like this. Policy changes have real effects on pricing and affordability, and they are a necessary complement to the development of new housing. 

Wetlands, I Hardly Knew You

The City previously commissioned a study to identify all of the wetlands in the city limits. It turns out, we have a lot! A new study builds on this work, assessing and rating wetlands on a scale of 1-10 (from the least to most important), in areas subject to the most development pressure — the goal being to balance development needs with environmental protection. The recommendation to protect wetlands with a score of six or greater, rather than the initial five, was approved—but it was not unanimous.  

Deputy Mayor O’Leary, Cllrs Burton, Bruce, and Ravencroft voted against, preferring five as a more conservative midway point, and were not comfortable with the balancing of development and protection. They were outnumbered, however,  Cllrs Hanlon, Ridgeley, and Korab argued that land availability is important for housing,  and the scarcity of available lots for development increases the costs for developers, which gets passed onto buyers and renters.

Paved Paradise

Speaking of land use, the City approved the transfer of the Churchill Square Parking Reserve to the Downtown Parking Reserve, to help balance things out. Apparently the Downtown Parking Reserve has not been as lucrative as expected, and primarily funds debts on the loan used to subsidize the construction of two private parking garages, and the implementation of the new paid parking management strategy, which had been plagued by delays.

Closing the Water Tax Loophole

Twenty years ago, Cllr Ellsworth said, politicians were “colouring outside the lines.” Council approved the decision to repeal the water tax policy established in 2000, which accidentally contained a loophole wherein those with vacant apartments could apply for water tax exemptions. This will no longer be the case. The vote was not unanimous. Cllr Korab was against the motion because many residents in his ward would be negatively impacted by it and the effort and expense required to bring their properties into compliance.  

However, this change is necessary to ensure that City policies are applied fairly to everyone. Deputy Mayor O’Leary emphasized the importance of being clear and consistent about what is needed for compliance, to support those who will have to make changes. Anyone affected by the rescission is encouraged to contact the building inspectors at the city manager’s office.

First Light is Alright, and Cavell is Well

Council approved the rezoning of a portion of land at 40 Quidi Vidi Rd. from the Residential 3 zone to the Residential Mixed Zone as part of the development of the former St. Joseph’s Church, the current First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre. First Light is proposing to renovate and expand its headquarters to include a community centre, a clinic, and a gym, more office space, some landscaping, as well as a memory garden dedicated to the survivors of residential schools in the province. 

The consensus among the council was that First Light has demonstrated a thorough consideration of how the changes will impact the neighborhood, and has effectively addressed many of the issues that were raised during the public consultation on October 30. 

Most notably, they have changed their plan for a second exit for the centre, which was originally slated to run through Cavell Park. While there remain some issues around parking (Cllr Ellsworth wasn’t convinced that the place could offer enough relief) and traffic congestion, it was reiterated that many people served by First Light are not drivers. The organization operates its own transportation system, and is currently working on a parking agreement with the Miller Centre to support potential parking overflow during events on evenings and weekends. 

Deputy Mayor O’Leary, Cllr Burton, Cllr Ravencroft, and Cllr Ridgeley strongly supported the development, seeing it as an enhancement to the neighborhood that will make a meaningful contribution to Indigenous representation in the city. Further, supporting this development is essential for the city’s active involvement in supporting the processes of decolonization and reconciliation.

In the meantime, Deputy Mayor O’Leary also pointed out that the majority of traffic issues in the area are related to the cars driving up and down Signal Hill. She suggested that it is time to bring the Signal Hill traffic study back to the table. 

Art in the Right Place

Council approved the recommendations for the procurement of 14 works of art, with a total of $19,281 going to local artists. Deputy Mayor O’Leary, back from professional development leave after completing a Masters of Fine arts, also welcomed Cllr Hickman to his Arts and Culture Advisory Committee role, and took the occasion to acknowledge the city’s vibrant arts community and the City’s role in supporting it. 

The City also approved a noise bylaw extension for Fireside Pictures, given that there are no scenes featuring car chases, explosions, or loud talking in them. It’s a Hallmark movie, after all! Filming will happen after 11 p.m. from December 2-21, in various locations downtown, as well as Dover Pl. in the Rennie’s Mill area.

This is one of three Hallmark movies filmed in St. John’s this year. Cllr Hickman admitted that as much as he is delighted by the filming, he wished these movies would allow St. John’s to play itself rather than pretend to be some nondescript American town. “We have a beautiful city,” he said. Cllr Hanlon admitted she was equally excited by these productions but for a different reason. “They’re going to feature my home in the hallmark movie!” she exclaimed. 

“Something to watch on Saturday Night, Cllr Hickman!” Breen joked, prompting laughter from the group. 

The Go Round

Cllr Ridgeley announced that it was a big day for the Goulds: its raw sewage is now being diverted to the Riverhead treatment plant, and no longer being pumped directly into the ocean at Shoal Bay.

Other concluding items included a postponed garbage collection, a postponed downtown Santa Claus Parade, now rescheduled for this Sunday. “I look witchy but I’m not psychic” Cllr Ravencroft remarked. Lights at Bowring Park is happening this weekend and winter recreation is starting up. 

Cllr Hanlon reminded everyone that the Purple Ribbon Campaign began on November 25 with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which continues until December 10, marking 16 days of activism against gendered violence. She was at Confederation Building for the launch, alongside people who have been affected by intimate partner or gender-based violence. “As a victim of violence myself as a young girl,” Hanlon said, “I know sometimes there is nowhere to turn. But today, it’s a different world than it was 40 years ago. There are people around to help.”

Deputy Mayor O’Leary recently represented the City at a Federation of Canadian Municipalities board meeting and advocacy days in Ottawa. A new municipal framework is needed, beyond property taxes, she said. “The housing crisis — we aren’t the only place struggling with this.” Infrastructure is the big issue, and we need to lobby the federal government to help us invest in its growth. 

The last clean-up of the season was set to take place on Wednesday at Tessier Pl., but it ended up being canceled ahead of the storm. Storm has its roots in “stir,” by the way. While the storm wasn’t as bad as predicted, City Hall really did stir things up this week.