Brantford mayor ‘thrilled’ first pledges action on encampments

Mayor Kevin Davis says he’s excited Premier Doug Ford is looking for ways to help municipalities deal with encampments.

Article content

Article content

Article content

But Kim Baker, the executive of SOAR Community Services, says dismantling encampments without having a place to send people doesn’t fix the problem and raises ethical concerns.

“When we sent a letter to him a few weeks ago, it was a plea for help,” Davis said of a letter he and 11 other mayors sent to Ford in November. “Many municipalities including Brantford are overwhelmed by this crisis and need help.

“I’m delighted to see that he has responded.”

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario estimates there were at least 1,400 homeless encampments in communities small and large throughout the province last year.

Davis said municipalities won’t know for certain what measures the province will take until they are announced some time next week.

Article content

However, additional funding may be made available for shelter systems. More funding for shelters is something Brantford could use, Davis said.

The first, in his Dec. 5 letter, said new legislation will “explicitly and unequivocally prohibit the use of illicit drugs in public” with new tools to help police enforce the prohibition.

Ford said the legislation will include new approaches to treatment and rehabilitation that prioritize pathways to recovery over incarceration in the cases of minors and non-violent, drug-related crimes.

“Trying to create pathways and incentives to get people into recovery is something a compassionate society should be doing – encouraging people to recover,” Davis said. “We should not accept having people live in tents, it’s unhealthy and unsafe.

Article content

“We in Brantford don’t accept that but the reality is that to address it fully is well beyond our capabilities.”

Responding to the first’s letter, Baker said, SOAR agrees that enhanced investments in housing and substance services are essential to address the health and homelessness crisis.

However, those investments should be directed to evidence-based approaches with an expectation to monitor outcomes.

“SOAR led the community’s recent efforts to apply for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub which would have a substantial impact on these issues if we were successful,” Baker said. “Without the infusion of these resources, we are deeply concerned about our organization and community’s ability to respond to the increasing volume and complexity of needs.”

Article content

Baker said dismantling encampments with no plan to house those residing there not only has adverse ethical implications, but it fails to solve the complex issue.

“It displaces the problem and is only a temporary measure,” Baker said. “Solutions address systemic issues related to poverty, lack of affordable housing and inadequate levels of social services.”

SOAR looks forward to working with the city, Ontario Health and community partners on collaborative, effective, evidence-driven solutions so all community members can live safe and healthy lives, Baker said.

When the mayors asked the first for help in November, they suggested using the “notwithstanding” clause of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to bring about change.

Article content

Ford said he’s confident the legislation will be “entirely aligned” with the Charter.

“For that reason, I do not expect the legislation will need to invoke Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Ford said. “However, should the courts interfere with our shared goal of effectively addressing and clearing out encampments using these tools, with your support, our government is prepared to use the notwithstanding clause.”

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association said in a Thursday statement that it is relieved the Ontario government does not intend to use the notwithstanding clause pre-emptively to override rights of unhoused people.

However, the CCLA remains concerned with the declared intention of using the government notwithstanding clause if the disagrees with the outcome of court decisions.

Article content

“Court decisions enforcing charter rights should be respected by governments, not circumvented,” Annais Bussieres McNicoll, director of the fundamental freedoms program at CCLA, said in a statement. “The notwithstanding clause should not be used to override basic human rights.

NDP leader Marit Stiles said homeless people will continue to move from encampment to encampment as long as there are inadequate levels of housing and supports for them.

“We should be working, as I know most municipalities are doing right now, to try to make sure that people can be moved into shelters and homes,” Stiles said. “That is the solution to the encampments.

“And right now, what are you going to do, move them on to another park?”

(With files from Canadian Press)

[email protected]

Article content