VOTE JOHN DACOMBE FOR COURTENAY COUNCIL

Homelessness

Homelessness is not a crime, and it hasn’t been since it was struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada and then removed from the Criminal Code years ago. So it’s troubling when I hear people suggest the homeless should be treated like criminals or worse.

We need to help Courtenay’s homeless find safe shelter. (And, no, they weren’t shipped here as part of some organized plot. That urban myth exists in almost every city and town across Canada.)

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to that, but everything we try must include strict rules and boundaries. The reality is that the majority of homeless here in the Comox Valley self-identify as having substance use and/or mental health issues. These are people who need compassion, assistance, and solutions – but also need rules.