I am getting many many emails expressing upset and outrage at the city suggesting we move the homeless along. I framed the following response as the overwhelming number of emails requires a singular consistent message.

Essentially, I am opposed to infringing upon human and civil rights and trying to address a symptom rather than a problem. Here below is my comment.

Dear Resident

Thank you for expressing your concern.

I am opposed to impeding civil, and human rights. This is, in my opinion, contrary to a human rights approach to housing. Further, I think that there are real challenges to attempting to move anyone. We need a real solution to homelessness rather than addressing a symptom of a deeper problem: poverty, despair, and hopelessness.

Feel free to call me at 519 827 6579. I’m happy to talk about this. I’ve worked in housing although it was a long time ago and it was never an easy job. Our provincial government has made it even worse.

No one wanted to grow up to be homeless and in despair. No one put in their graduation yearbook – My career goal is to end up on the street and without hope.

Let’s solve the problem not just eliminate the symptoms.

A ticket to a homeless person does nothing. A person with nothing cannot pay for a ticket.

Phil Allt
Councillor, Ward 3
Guelph, Ontario
519 827 6579

Image credit: CBC Guelph