Editor, The News:
In Maple Ridge, a few of us have had enough of the intolerance and hatred and we have chosen to stand up in support of our street population.
In so doing, we have become targets ourselves.
Our street population is a community within a community, and they look out for and care for each other. They have no choice. Our federal, provincial and municipal governments have failed them miserably, and we are now faced with a homelessness crisis of epic proportions. All levels of government must set aside partisan politics and address this issue without further delay.
The demonization of people living on our streets who may also be dealing with mental illness or substance abuse disorder by a vocal minority in our community must end. It is absolutely unconscionable.
And what sort of example are they setting for their children. Many say, ‘We don’t hate the homeless, we just want them to get the help they need.’
Well, why treat them with contempt in the meantime?
We must lift people up, not put them down. And if they fall, we must lift them up again.
Our former MLAs, Doug Bing and Marc Dalton, were either unable or unwilling to address this issue when the provincial government offered us $15 million for a low-barrier shelter in our community.
Just prior to the election, they offloaded their responsibility yet again by appointing a citizens committee, at least three members of which had publicly opposed a low-barrier shelter in Maple Ridge.
I would ask that Maple Ridge mayor and council and our MLAs denounce the recommendations of this committee and do the job they have been elected to do.
Chris Bossley
Maple Ridge