City Council: unsure about opioid crisis group, approves politician pay hikes, denounces hate groups

Opioid crisis working group on hold

In a tight 7-6 vote, council approved a motion Tuesday that would send a discussion about implementing an opioid crisis working group to a committee for further discussion.

Mayor Matt Brown introduced the motion to form a working group led by Chris Mackie, the city's the Medical Officer of Health.

"This is a crisis across the country," said Brown. "People are dying beginning on the west coast and now moving their way province by province."

However, Coun. Phil Squire said several councillors already sit on committees dedicated to health care in London looking at issues such as safe injection sites and drugs and alcohol.

"The group talks exclusively about opioids … But I deal with so many people on a day to day basis. They're suffering terrible things and opioids aren't involved," said Squire. "I would love if we brought focus to the drug issue in London … I'm not sure creating another committee is a solution."

• What you need to know about London's bid for supervised injection sites 

Several leaders in the community would also sit on the potential committee, including Police Chief John Pare, Brian Lester, executive director of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, and Scott Courtice, executive director of the London Intercommunity Health Centre.

If approved, the group would develop recommendations to tackle a growing opioid crisis in London, including the possibility of introducing supervised injection sites in the city.

For now, the idea will be discussed at a future meeting of the Community and Protective Services committee.

A show of inclusivity

Councillors unanimously passed three motions that would work toward building a more inclusive and welcoming city.

A community diversity and inclusion strategy that has been in the works since last November was given the green light by council Tuesday.

A steering committee drafted a strategy that aims to remove systematic barriers to accessibility and increase the quality of life of those who are marginalized in the community.

Mayor Matt Brown also issued an emergency motion calling on Londoners to stand against all forms of racism, bigotry and hatred.

"Things like racism and hatred have no place in London Ontario," he said, in response to several anti-Islamic, nationalist groups set to rally outside city hall later in the week.

• Mayor tells Londoners to 'stand up against hate' as white supermacist plan rally

Coun. Mo Salih, who is Muslim, supported the motion, along with all other members of council.

"There has been so much hate, so much division," he said. "To the people who don't like me I say you're free to hate my faith, colour, that I'm an immigrant, the fact that I exist -- but I'm not going anywhere."

• London isn't immune to what's happening across the border, rally-goers say 

Coun. Tanya Park introduced an additional motion that would ban hate groups from holding rallies on city-owned property. It received unanimous approval.

Councillors to receive salary increases

City council approved a proposal on Tuesday to increase councillor salaries, excluding the mayor, by about 30 per cent.

Right now, councillors make about $36,000 a year. After the 2018 municipal election, the councillors will make at least $48,000.

• Why some councillors are divided over a decision to increase their pay 

The new salaries would match the 2016 median full-time employment income of the average London.

 "This will help open the door for more people to be able to do that and also live their life and pay their bills as well," said Mayor Matt Brown, hopeful that an increase will encourage people to run for office.

After 16 months, an arm's length task force presented a report to a committee on Monday highlighting about 10 recommendations, including no additional pay for the deputy mayor position and acting chairpersons on committees.