Premier Doug Ford was in Hamilton at this time, the place he was requested in regards to the ongoing subject of encampments, each within the metropolis and throughout Ontario.
The premier was questioned on why municipalities and native taxpayers are primarily chargeable for addressing encampments.
In response, Ford pointed to his authorities’s funding of over $700 million in homelessness initiatives, together with $28 million supplied to Hamilton two years in the past. He additionally reiterated his assist for municipalities in eradicating encampments from public parks.
Premier Doug Ford stated, “I’m here to support the towns and cities that want to remove encampments. Guelph and Cambridge did it, and they had places for people to go.”
When requested whether or not he would invoke the However clause of the Canadian Constitution of Rights and Freedoms to override a current court docket ruling and permit cities to take away encampments, Ford responded, “We received support from 12 of 15 mayors across the province to move forward. Let’s see what happens. We will always stand by Guelph and Cambridge. If they face legal challenges, the province will be right there with them, supporting them in court.”
Hamilton Metropolis Council voted towards asking the federal government to invoke the However clause to deal with encampments in public areas.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath stated, “”Even when it had been for use, it doesn’t construct any inexpensive housing. It doesn’t present any companies, so far as well being or habit companies. It’s not the reply. It’s not a silver bullet, and there are implications for folks’s Constitution rights.”
The mayor stated the town is engaged on an encampment plan, together with a “tiny home” shelter venture on Tiffany Road close to Barton.
“We are putting the outdoor temporary shelter complex together. That will help us move people to those locations and bring those parks back to green spaces where people feel safe to utilize them,” she added.
The Metropolis of Hamilton now says the non permanent shelter on Tiffany Road will open subsequent month, on Friday, December 20.
The Metropolis of Hamilton experiences that over 1,500 persons are homeless, with over 300 dwelling in encampments.
The mayor additionally stated that the $28 million the town acquired two years in the past from the province to assist combat homelessness is now not enough. She says the necessity has grown.
