Chatham-Kent councillor joins coalition in support of homeless population

CTV News file photo.

Chatham-Kent Councillor, Alysson Storey, has joined the Ontario Coalition for the Rights of Homeless People (OCRHP).

The coalition stands against the use of the Notwithstanding Clause to clear encampments. Also on the OCRHP are nine other councillors from around Ontario.

“The idea of taking away the human rights of the most vulnerable in our society is unacceptable,” said Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor of Burlington and OCRHP Steering Committee Chair.

“What makes it worse is that by putting people into housing first and providing them with adequate care, we can actually save money and take pressure off our health and justice systems.”

The group said the next provincial government in Ontario has to house those who don’t have a place to call home. They are also calling for commitment to upholding people’s human rights, regardless of if they are housed or not.

“It is unthinkable to use the notwithstanding clause to remove someone from their only feasible shelter,” said Erin Caton, a Guelph city councillor and OCRHP Steering Committee member.

“Municipalities need a provincial government that is willing to provide decisive action on creating housing that fits the needs of our unhoused residents.”

According to a news release, the OCRHP’s campaign focuses on the provincial government’s record on housing and homelessness.

It said the least amount of new detached homes has been built in 70 years, causing more than 80,000 people in Ontario to become homeless.

MPPs across the province are asked to commit to building housing for the vulnerable, uphold the human rights of those experiencing homelessness, and create a clear, compassionate plan to reduce homelessness.

The OCRHP said it costs more to manage homelessness than build homes to end it.

The full list of members is:

- Alysson Storey, Councillor of Chatham-Kent and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Sam Trosow, Councillor of London, Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law, and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Rory Nisan, Deputy Mayor of Burlington and OCRHP Steering Committee Chair

- Diana Chan McNally, Front-Line Outreach Worker in Toronto and OCRHP Coordinator

- Lukas Oakley, Councillor of Brant County and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Amy Courser, Councillor for Barrie and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Nadia Dubyk, Councillor of Grey Highlands and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Leanne Caron, Councillor of Guelph and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Haley Bateman, Councillor of St. Catharine’s and OCRHP Steering Committee Member

- Erin Caton, Councillor of Guelph and OCRHP Steering Committee Member