They stayed quiet, but they stayed resilient.
A homelessness protest outside Barrie City Hall that moved silently inside Wednesday evening had a familiar ring.
About 10 protesters called on their politicians to address the root cause of homelessness, a lack of housing, with some carrying signs saying 'everybody deserves a place to call home.'
But while opposition to government policies dealing with homelessness was on protesters’ minds, it wasn’t on city councillors’ agenda, although Mayor Alex Nuttall did remind protesters that signs are not allowed in the Council Chamber. The signs stayed.
Protesters had their say before councillors sat down.
“I am here to just join in solidarity with our unhoused friends and neighbours to ensure that their human rights are protected and respected,” said Celeste Price. “We have brought tents to sleep out (in the Barrie City Hall courtyard) here … and just get a little feel for what our friends and neighbours have to go through.”
“I think it’s important because for someone who lives in this city, I would like to see things be different,” said Sandra Ruttan. “So it’s important to speak up, and I also think it’s important to speak up for people who maybe are unable to advocate for themselves.”
“We’re doing a solidarity sleep-out to shine a light on the backward policies of our city council and our mayor, Alex Nuttall, who’s trying to have free rein to dismantle encampments,” said Dr. Mac Chown.
Nuttall and other Ontario mayors have taken Premier Doug Ford up on his invitation to move people out of homeless encampments and protect such actions from Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenges by using the notwithstanding clause.
At least 15 mayors sent Ford a letter, formally asking the province to take action aimed at disbanding homeless encampments.
The mayors are calling on the province to amend the Trespass to Property Act to allow people to be sent to jail for "repetitive acts of trespass" and to allow police officers to "arrest a person who commits repetitive acts of trespass" who they previously warned to leave.
The mayors are also calling on Ford to use the notwithstanding clause, "where necessary," to protect the legislation from constitutional challenges that have hampered past efforts to evict encampment dwellers.
A 2023 Ontario Superior Court decision forbids municipalities from evicting people living in homeless encampments when there are not enough local shelter beds or other forms of housing available for them.
The mayors also asked the provincial government to use the notwithstanding clause to allow for increased involuntary health treatment of encampment residents and other Ontarians with severe addiction or mental illness.
Asked if the government will pass legislation with the mayors’ requested measures, while invoking the notwithstanding clause, Ford's office has said it will "explore every legal tool available to the province to clear encampments and restore safety to public spaces."
Christine Nayler, co-founder and director of Ryan’s Hope, an advocacy group for the homeless, said last night's gathering at Barrie City Hall was to protest "the recent call to the premier to use the notwithstanding clause to violate the Charter-protected rights of our most vulnerable residents."
“Our mayor, Alex Nuttall, is spearheading this call to action, which does nothing to get to the root cause of the solution or work towards solving the growing housing crisis facing our community," she added. “It seeks to erase the most basic right — the right to life, liberty and security of the person.”
BarrieToday asked Nuttall to respond.
“Residents have made it clear: they want our parks restored to safe, welcoming spaces where children, families and seniors can enjoy without hazards like discarded needles or open fires,” he said. “We need to shift the focus beyond warehousing people in shelter beds and prioritize moving them into rehabilitation, treatment and transitional housing.
“Municipalities need effective tools to address encampments where drug use and violence are impacting our communities," Nuttall added. "Addressing chronic homelessness requires collaboration across all levels of government. Alongside 14 community leaders — and counting — I am calling on the province to take immediate action on a long-term solution that addresses addiction and restores safety in our parks."
Nuttall also said housing is a "top priority" for city council.
"Barrie is recognized as a leader in accelerating development,” he said. “We’re streamlining processes to fast-track affordable and transitional housing projects to increase affordable options, with many projects underway that meet the criteria.
“For lasting success, housing must be complemented by essential mental health and rehabilitative services,” the mayor added. “Council recently endorsed the County of Simcoe’s application to establish a HART hub in Barrie for this reason and we are hopeful that their application will be successful.”
A homelessness and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hub is to serve the community’s complex service needs, including homelessness, substance use and mental health concerns.
Nayler has said the solution to solving the homeless crisis instead is for elected leaders to live up to their responsibility and start building social housing again — rent geared to income, non-market housing, housing to support families, accessible housing for seniors and people with disabilities, and supportive housing for people living with complex needs.
After making their voices heard outside last night, protesters then moved inside for a silent protest during Wednesday’s infrastructure and community investment committee and general committee meetings, which are open to the public in the Council Chamber.
— With files by The Trillium
