Regional councillor says clause gives power to those wanting to move homeless camps
A Niagara Regional councillor is not happy with her colleagues for removing opposition to using the notwithstanding clause in relation to homeless camps.
That opposition was replaced with supporting Section 7 of the Charter of Rights, while still asking for more provincial funding for affordable housing and addiction services.
However, Councillor Haley Bateman says using the notwithstanding clause gives power to those who want to move camps. "Second, when you decide that a group of people are a nuisance to you visually, and you're going to pick them up and move them, that's segregation."
She says she understands those who want to move camps away from sensitive areas such as schools, playgrounds and homes.
Councillor Diana Huson introduced supporting section 7 of the Charter of Rights. "Instead of positioning ourselves in opposition of something, recognizing something that one of our delegates said, we need to work together on this, we need to work together with our colleagues, we need to work together with the province."
A number of people made presentations to council, most in support of opposing the notwithstanding clause, which gives governments power to overrule court rulings that stop municipalities from removing camps.
Man Charged with More Offences Against Children
NRP Looking into Niagara Falls Disturbance
Attempted Murder Charges Laid After Collision
UPDATE: Bodies Recovered From Plane vs. Helicopter Crash
By-election Process Begins in Port Dalhousie
Niagara Catholic Outstanding Place to Work: Report
Police Intercept Human Smuggling at Border
Sad Update Concerning Senior Hit by Car