French is in decline in the largest cities of northern Ontario. But a new wind seems to be blowing through Timmins, since the appointment, in October 2022, of a first Franco-Ontarian mayor. The duty went there to take stock of the state of French in the city with a heart of gold, overtaken by numerous crises.
In central Timmins, used syringes and naloxone kits dot the alleys. The city has “changed”, deplore the traders, who are worried about their safety.
“They have to fix something, because it can’t continue like this,” says Jacqueline MacNeil. The Franco-Ontarian was the first to lock her door, about three years ago, to sort her clientele. “There were people doing business that was not correct,” says the owner of an antique store, in business for 18 years. ” Be careful. You never know if they have something in their pockets or if it will turn violent. »
A year ago, Mme MacNeil moved his business, due to disagreements with his landlord. She chose her new premises precisely “because the building is blocked”, even if it no longer has a window overlooking the street. “I know it’s better to be further forward, but my customers, they know I’m here. When they return, they know that they don’t need to fear, there is no one who will harass them. » And this saves him from fearing for his windows, which had already been broken “four times”.
It didn’t take long for other traders to copy Mme MacNeil. A few steps away, an employee says the doors of the store she works for were locked after a customer, who was trying on clothes, panicked when she heard a man screaming in the store. “The fact that she was scared scared me more than him. Because, you know, we get used to it. But not the customers. And, without them, “no one will be able to stay open”.
“Homeless people are not the problem and never have been. These are the drug addicts,” she said, calling on the authorities to act. If she has never had physical altercations with them, she explains that the tone can sometimes rise. She is, in any case, ready to press her alarm button.
“Broken” system
“The city has changed,” says Paul Doyon, owner of Sweet Freez, a candy store located a little further down the 3, in French.e avenue. There are “special people — we call it that — who have drugs or mental problems, so It’s loud in town, there are characters, you’re always being hounded for money. Sothe world is afraid to come to town,” he explains, indicating that he has opened an online store for customers reluctant to travel in these conditions.
Above all, the city center remains, for him, “the cheapest place to start a small business “. After nine years of entrepreneurship, Mr. Doyon manages to spot customers who are about to steal a product from him. However, he deplores the fact that the thieves were quickly released by the police, and tried the same attack again a few hours later. “The system is broken somewhere. »
“I admit that the police have their hands tied, when it comes to what we call catch and release », Says the mayor of Timmins, Michelle Boileau. But “it’s not something that can be changed at the municipal level, even at the provincial level.”
With Bill C-48, intended to strengthen the bail system, Ottawa has “made changes for more violent crimes,” she recognizes. “But that’s not what we’re talking about in Timmins. We are waiting for changes to give a little more power to the police, because I know they are frustrated, our police officers. There is no one who wants to arrest the same person several times in a day. »
The system is broken somewhere.
Mme Boileau admits, however, that there is a security problem in the city center, a “new” phenomenon, according to her. “I wouldn’t say we should get used to it at all, because it’s not acceptable, but it’s just caught up with us. So we need to learn how to protect ourselves. » She explains that the municipality has expanded its “security grant” program, previously limited to the city center, to the entire city territory. This exchange among other things for protective equipment. She also established a street worker patrol and increased the police department’s budget.
The Timmins Police Service did not respond to questions from Duty. The fact remains that several traders believe that the situation has improved slightly in recent months.
One more problem
These security issues remain an additional challenge for merchants, already in poor economic health. Some are struggling to repay loans granted by the federal government during the pandemic.
“I pay the interest and, if I have money left, I repay the loan,” admits Sonya Biemann, saying that her financial difficulties could push her to close her store. Owner of a decoration store, she must repay $1,800 per month. “Currently, this is impossible! With rent, phone bills, purchasing goods, there isn’t much left at the end of the month. »And, with inflation, it has lost several customers, who now prioritize essential spending.
“You have to be a superstar to get people in [dans son magasin] », quips his neighbor, Mike Young, who sells everything you can imagine between video games and funeral urns. “I saw her coming, [l’inflation]but not as fast or as strong,” he says, particularly empathetic towards drug addicts and homeless people.
“I wish I could have more [d’argent] to put a spin on it, but we live within our means, don’t we? »
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.