Forty-one municipal councillors from throughout Ontario need a group of mayors to rescind a latest letter to the Premier calling on him to make use of the however clause within the struggle in opposition to homelessness encampments.
The letter, which was signed by 13 mayors from Windsor, Chatham-Kent, St. Thomas, and Guelph, was despatched to Doug Ford earlier this month, calling on him additionally to pressure these struggling extreme psychological sickness and dependancy challenges into therapy.
An Ontario Superior Court docket choose dominated final yr that cities and cities should go away the encampments alone if they do not have area of their shelters for these folks.
Utilizing the however clause would permit the province or municipalities to bypass the ruling.
Nevertheless, the councillors representing 23 communities agree with the court docket that dismantling encampments and forcing folks into therapy violates their proper to life, liberty, and safety. They signed their very own public letter affirming the necessity for evidence-based options to the twin opioid and homelessness disaster.
“I imagine that encampments are an expression of want for companies, housing, meals, neighborhood engagement, somewhat than an act that must be corrected by way of legal guidelines that may criminalize folks dwelling in excessive poverty,” mentioned St.Catharines Councillor Haley Bateman.
Robert Deutschmann, a Waterloo councillor, agrees.
“People experiencing homelessness, psychological well being challenges, and substance abuse issues are among the many most weak members of our society, deserving of safety and help somewhat than additional marginalization,” he mentioned. “All people, no matter their housing standing or private circumstances, are entitled to the complete safety of their Constitution rights.”
Windsor’s Mayor is unapologetic.
“I would not have signed the letter if I did not assume there was a helpful function to it,” mentioned Drew Dilkens. “I used to be proud to signal the letter, and I feel that in relation to encampments, municipalities want all of the instruments out there to cope with these kind of issues.”
Whereas Dilkens mentioned the homeless encampment scenario is not as unhealthy in his metropolis, he does not need it to worsen.
He additionally factors to the adverse affect encampments have on different residents close by.
“They are not all effectively structured, effectively organized, completely oiled machines,” he mentioned. “There’s a variety of disruptive behaviour, a variety of drug exercise — we have to come to phrases with the truth that we have to cope with this. We won’t simply let folks arrange store wherever they need to arrange.”
