Liberal leader Mark Carney on Wednesday dismissed a Conservative proposal to clear public lands of tent cities as “a typical American-style approach.”
Meanwhile, Carney’s own housing minister has complained of public disorder caused by homeless people tenting in parks and on sidewalks, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
“It is a typical American-style approach to an issue which Pierre Poilievre has imported, which is: There is a problem, I will arrest people, I will criminalize it, as opposed to addressing the underlying challenges,” Carney told reporters.
“What is your approach to dealing with this issue?” asked a reporter.
“Our approach starts with attacking several aspects of this problem,” replied Carney.
“First is homelessness, lack of homes, lack of deeply affordable housing, and the need to build deeply affordable housing.”
“Unfortunately — and I think we know this — in many cases, not all, but in many cases, homelessness is linked to mental health issues. Addiction is an issue as well,” said Carney.
The Conservatives on Wednesday proposed to amend the Criminal Code to “clarify in law that police can dismantle illegal encampments.”
Parks and sidewalks must be safe and accessible, said Tory leader Pierre Poilievre.
“Nothing has become a more profound symbol of the lost Liberal decade than the homeless encampments that were unheard of before this government took office, but have now become part of everyday life,” Poilievre told reporters.
Encampments “now fill spaces where children once played and families once gathered,” he said.
“Our public spaces have become a breeding ground for addiction, violence, human trafficking, and crime. Businesses around parks have been boarded up. Parents are afraid to let their kids cut through parks on their way to school.”
“We will amend the Criminal Code to give police legal powers to remove individuals who are a danger to public safety and clear public spaces where access is currently blocked by tents and temporary shelters.”
“No more excuses by politicians claiming they don’t have the powers. The powers will be right there in the Criminal Code. No more paralysis from politically correct Liberal politicians who are too afraid to take action.”
Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, on January 22, complained to reporters that tent cities were causing public disorder.
“We all deserve clean streets and parks,” said Erskine-Smith.
“We can have clean streets and parks without denying people a basic sense of dignity.”
“I’ve got two young kids. I want to make sure our parks are for communities and families. That’s what they’re for.”
“You’ve got to make sure our main streets are for people who are going to enjoy their community, and community members have access to small businesses, and small businesses succeed. We want successful main streets, and we want communities that thrive.”
