Premier Doug Ford says new legislative powers shall be given to municipalities to assist them clear encampments.
This comes as a response to a letter from 13 Ontario mayors asking the province to make use of the however clause to assist them dismantle homeless encampments.
In a letter posted on social media this week, Ford mentioned the legislative powers will shield public security and finish public dysfunction.
“I’m assured that the legislative authorities the province is getting ready are frequent sense, sensible, and fully aligned with the Constitution of Rights and Freedoms, particularly for the law-abiding residents who merely wish to get pleasure from the advantages of their native public areas,” mentioned Ford within the letter. “For that cause, I don’t count on the laws might want to proactively invoke Part 33 of the Constitution of Rights and Freedoms.”
He additionally said he’ll haven’t any downside utilizing the however clause if the courts intervene with the brand new laws.
“Our authorities is totally ready to make use of the however clause. This contains the province turning into an intervenor in any court docket case that restricts the flexibility of municipalities to control and prohibit encampments, as long as the method you pursue is aligned with provincial greatest practices,” mentioned Ford.
The brand new laws will embrace funding for elevated capability within the shelter system and new accountability measures to make sure that the funds help the dismantling of encampments.
The laws will even give police new authorities to assist implement the prohibition of utilizing illicit medication in public areas.
The letter doesn’t define how quickly the province will introduce the brand new laws.
