The mayor of Chatham-Kent desires extra instruments given to municipalities to assist take care of homeless encampments.
Darrin Canniff shared his ideas on Monday at CK council’s assembly days after signing a letter asking the Ontario Authorities to think about using the however clause to assist communities higher handle these websites.
Particularly, the letter talked about the municipality’s skill to manage and prohibit them.
Canniff hopes the province would by no means want to make use of the however clause, however believes the choice ought to be accessible.
“We’re in a disaster scenario proper now and it is gonna worsen, so the municipality wants as many instruments as we will get to assist handle it,” he stated.
In his opinion, Canniff defined the province may use the clause to assist municipalities transfer encampments to extra applicable locations. He famous it is to not criminalize the homeless which was a priority introduced ahead by Councillor Alysson Storey.
The letter additionally asks for the province to implement a drug and diversion courtroom system which might give attention to rehabilitation as a substitute of incarceration and strengthen necessary community-based and residential psychological well being care to assist folks coping with addictions.
In the meantime, CK council additionally authorised an encampment technique at Monday’s assembly.
Because the municipality cannot shutdown these websites on account of a choice by the Ontario Supreme Courtroom which permits them to be arrange on public lands if all shelter house is getting used, they’ve give you plans on the place they are often arrange.
Tents have to be a sure distance from playgrounds, faculties, sidewalks, publicly-used buildings, and extra. If they don’t seem to be, an Outreach Supplier will communicate with the folks and try to assist them discover a appropriate spot. Those that refuse to maneuver shall be given a discover of trespass earlier than being forcible eliminated if okayed by municipal authorized providers.
Municipal staff may even be visiting all encampments on a weekly foundation to talk with all residents whereas additionally sharing helps accessible to them.
Canniff stated this plan mainly encompasses all of the municipality can legally do.
“We now have limitations on what we will do and we have skilled that previously. We’re making an attempt to steadiness the rights of all residents,” he added.
CK council additionally authorised on Monday having Attain out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.Ok) improve housing-focused outreach providers to seven days per week till March 31, 2025, and giving the Director of Housing Providers the power to approve extra sanitation, rubbish removing, and safety round these encampments.
