Ford government introducing bill to crack down on homeless encampments today, Thursday, December 12, 2024

 

Scrambling to cope with rising homelessness and an explosion of tent encampments in parks, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives are finally taking action.

On Thursday, the Tories are introducing legislation to give municipalities and police additional money and “enhanced legislative powers” to help find shelter and services for homeless people.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra said Wednesday that local authorities would get more resources to deal with a growing problem.

But he added that cities and towns will be expected to use those new “tools” to ensure encampments are cleared and tent dwellers get better shelter.

“Make no mistake about it, we’re taking back our parks, we’re taking back our streets,” Calandra said Wednesday.

“It is not in the best interest of communities and our municipal partners. We’re going to hold them accountable for clearing out those encampments, but at the same time understanding that we need resources and we need places for people to go,” he said.

“If those investments don’t give us the results that we are looking for … the legislation that we are tabling (Thursday) … will allow us to take even more aggressive steps.”

In the wake of court rulings in Waterloo and Kingston, Ford has threatened to use of the Constitution’s “notwithstanding clause” to override any legal hurdles that would prevent the removal of tents from parks.

There are about 1,000 people living in Toronto parks despite city bylaws that prohibit camping or lighting fires.

But his political adversaries say Ford’s approach is not enough to deal with something as complex as homelessness, which involves addiction, mental health as well as the skyrocketing cost of rent.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles — whose riding of Davenport includes Dufferin-Grove Park, home to Toronto’s biggest encampment — blamed Ford for the rising number of encampments since he took office in 2018.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said “the issue has exploded under the Conservatives over the past six years” and municipalities are desperate for help.

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said “the solution to homelessness is housing.”

Ford’s bill comes after a dozen mayors urged him to enact tougher laws to help them cope with encampments.

Utilize Section 33 of the Charter to End Crisis of Homeless in St.Catharines, Ontario

 

 

Support The Application of Section 33 “The Not Withstanding Clause” Of The Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms Petition To End The Growing Homeless Criminality Crisis In St. Catharines, The Region Of Niagara And Province Of Ontario.

 

Why This Petition Matters And Why We Need YOUR Support.

As residents of the Gale Crescent Neighborhood in St. Catharines,  and citizens of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, in the Province of Ontario, we are all facing an unfortunate and explosive crisis. In our own neighborhood, a public park and along Gale Crescent, temporary housing facilities and encampments have sprouted up, housing those without homes and employment that has caused this growing crisis. We are seeing our sidewalks scattered with syringes, human feces, discarded underwear, our streets littered with garbage, and an increase in crime rates, including open drug use, dealing, prostitution, the carrying of objects used as weapons, and most recently, a shooting resulting in the death of a person. We live in fear, afraid to walk in front of our homes. Our neighbors and loved ones have been victims of assaults, aggressive confrontations,  criminal acts, demands for money , intimidation, and we can no longer stand by as the homeless continue to grow in number.

This is a scene that can be seen throughout Ontario and in Canadian cities, municipalities, and towns of every size. Law enforcement agencies, like the Niagara Regional Police are doing their very best, but like other police forces, their hands are tied as what they can and cannot do.

Therefore, we the people demand the application of "The notwithstanding clause" aka Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by our government. This clause permits the government to momentarily override certain Charter rights, which we implore to be used to dismantle homeless encampments, prosecute drug dealers, those publicly using illegal drugs, prostitutes and engage in criminal activity in our neighborhood. 

Moreover, in doing so, we believe this will not only improve the safety and cleanliness of our neighborhood but also help those suffering from mental illnesses induced by drug use, as they will be forced to seek professional aid.

The use of Section 33 has been quite rare since the Charter's inception in 1982, limited to only a few instances. However, we believe in our current state, invoking Section 33 is justifiable and necessary. We trust our government, aware enough to navigate this delicate situation, balancing our primary rights with the urgent need for action.

As concerned citizens of Gale Crescent Neighborhood, the Region of Niagara and the Province of Ontario, we call for immediate action from all levels of government. Grant us the peace of mind to walk freely in front of our homes and let our streets be safe and clean.

Sign this petition to help us invoke Section 33 and create a safer, healthier neighborhood for all.

 

For information or Media Inquiries, email petition@galecrescent.ca

 

Support The Application of Section 33 “The Not Withstanding Clause” Of The Canadian Charter Of Rights And Freedoms Petition To End The Growing Homeless Criminality Crisis In St. Catharines, The Region Of Niagara And Province Of Ontario.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PETITION

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