The Editor:
Re: Should the City of New Westminster commit to ending homelessness? (Dec. 12, 2024)
It is unfortunate that an issue so important to the homeless in our community should develop into a tense discussion.
There should have been, in our opinion, unanimity and an opportunity to move forward with a goal of ending poverty and homelessness.
This was, after all, part of the United Nations' Declaration on Human Rights passed in 1948 and, further to that, the right of all people to dignity.
According to a National Shelter Study done some time ago, Canada's emergency shelters are packed to the rafters.
People are languishing in homelessness longer, and their ranks increasingly include seniors, veterans and families with children. Shamefully, Indigenous Canadians are more than 10 times more likely than non-Indigenous people to end up in emergency shelter.
Realistically, this city council, in cooperation with the provincial and federal governments, has to do what it can to end what is a national disgrace.
Homelessness is not just a New Westminster problem. It is not up to this city to end homelessness, nor can it. It is up to all of us to do what we can. As I understand it, the resolution that passed council was an effort in this direction.
Let us be realistic, the answer to end unconscionable inequity in our country lies with senior governments and particularly the Federal government that controls the economy and this national crisis.
- Bill Zander and Mickey Bickerstaff, New Westminster
