North Bay Mayor Al McDonald says the city isn’t playing hard ball against the homeless.

He made the comments after several tents were taken down from the park next to City Hall.

BayToday reports the tents were ordered dismantled which led to a loud argument between a homeless advocate who is now homeless too and a city bylaw officer.

McDonald says initially on Monday they offered shelter to the group and for some reason they were turned down and then yesterday a similar effort was made.

“The offer was made again. We then brought in mental health workers to assist and they agreed to vacate the park at city hall,” he says.

He says they’ve wanted all along to provide shelter to keep the people out of the rain and wind and to give them shelter.

(photo by station staff)

Filed under: homeless, mayor-al-mcdonald