View dismissive of residents struggling with affordable housing issues
To the Expositor:
I was troubled by a recent statement from Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane, as noted in the September 3, 2025 edition of The Expositor, suggesting that Gore Bay does not need social housing because there are “no mental health supports in place in the area to allow for this type of housing.”
This view is dismissive of residents who struggle with affordable housing and may face mental health challenges. It also conflicts with reality. Gore Bay already has two social housing complexes, and they do not appear to be “crying out” for mental health services. Social housing does not mean mental health issues; however, safe and affordable housing can contribute significantly to a person’s well-being and stability.
The lack of existing mental health supports is not a reason to avoid social housing — it is precisely why we need to bring housing and services together. Safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone of stability. As Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us, people must first have their basic needs like shelter met before they can address higher-level needs such as employment, education, or mental health. To claim that people must already have services before they can have housing ignores the proven principle of “housing first,” which views housing as a fundamental human right. This view has been successfully applied in Canada and beyond.
Gore Bay is part of the broader housing challenge facing communities across the country. Pretending that there is no need for housing or implying that those who struggle are unwelcome sends the wrong message about this community’s values.
I urge Mayor Lane to reconsider his stance and to work with regional and provincial partners to bring both affordable housing and supportive services to Gore Bay. This community deserves leadership that sees inclusion and care as strengths, not liabilities.
Sincerely,
Anne Steele-Giffin
Gore Bay
