CanadaHelps would rather not help the City of Barrie with its campaign against homelessness and panhandling through controversial local measures dealing with poverty and public safety.
So city signs that include the organization’s name and URL are being changed.
“It’s been brought to our attention that our name and URL have been included on signage for the City of Barrie," CanadaHelps posted Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We do not endorse this campaign and have requested to be removed from this signage.
“CanadaHelps respects all forms of support for the vulnerable.”
It's been brought to our attention that our name and URL have been included on signage for the City of Barrie. We do not endorse this campaign and have requested to be removed from this signage. CandaHelps respects all forms of support for the vulnerable.
— CanadaHelps (@canadahelps) September 25, 2023
On May 17, 2023, city council passed a direct motion instructing staff to take action on initiatives aimed at addressing chronic homelessness and public safety in Barrie. One of the motion’s directions includes placing signs to discourage panhandling and instead encourage donations to local service agencies.
The City of Barrie says it has seen the "feedback" from CanadaHelps and will remove reference to the organization on the signs. The city also responded to the criticism from CanadaHelps on X.
The city says CanadaHelps.org was added to the signs because it provides the ability to browse local agencies that accept donations on behalf of people in need, and it was the city’s intention to ensure donations made it directly to local service agencies that need it most.
The signs were produced in-house and were covered under the approved operating budget, the city wrote in a follow-up tweet. It will cost about $200 to update them.
Installation of the signs started Monday in Barrie. When complete, there will be approximately 30 signs at various intersections throughout the city.
