TORONTO — Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement:
The Canadian Civil Liberties is profoundly concerned that the Ontario government is introducing measures that will criminalize unhoused people living in encampments.
While relieved that the government is not, at this time, seeking to invoke the notwithstanding clause, we remain concerned about the future use to override fundamental rights and freedoms of unhoused people in Ontario.
The homelessness crisis is result of government policy failures. Unhoused people living in encampments need a housing solution.
The homelessness crisis will not be solved through a “repetitive trespass” provision that will only criminalize unhoused people who have nowhere else to go.
All levels of governments need to work together to provide funding, resources and supports for meaningful solutions to end homelessness that respect fundamental rights and freedoms.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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