Homelessness and the Charter

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Thu., Jul. 14, 2022, 7:42 p.m. Subject: Homelesness and The Charter (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <administration@ccla.org>, <aimember@aiusa.org>, Liberal Party of Canada <assistance@liberal.ca>, aclupreferences <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca>, <cameron.barr@washpost.com>, <sally.buzbee@washpost.com>, Ben Stephens <ben@francetoday.com>, Bennett, Carolyn - M.P. <carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca>, Blanchet, Yves-François - Député <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, Kate Brown For Oregon Information <info@katebrownfororegon.com>, <ContactUsEn@pmo.gov.il>, <community@texastribune.org>, <CivilRightsDivision@usdoj.gov>, CPJ Info <info@cpj.org>, NYT Corrections <corrections@nytimes.com>, <dujarric@un.org>, <David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca>, David Hulen <dhulen@adn.com>, Duclos, Jean-Yves - Député <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, Garneau, Marc - Député <marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca>, <elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca>, <efren.zamudio@oregon.gov>, <Edmonton@leadersinternational.com>, <Fadi.El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int>, <externalrelations@csis.org>, <ecampaign@gop.com>, <emily.zalenski@warnerbros.com>, <e.info@nwthumanrights.ca>, EDC Minister <education.minister@gov.ab.ca>, <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>, <filomena.tassi@parl.gc.ca>, <focus.canada@focusha.org>, Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>, <govpress@la.gov>, <guestcare@carnival.com>, <GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com>, <gmcdonald@alabamanews.net>, Fisher, Gordon <gfisher@postmedia.com>, Guy Hibbert <guy@francetoday.com>, <hotline@ccteht.ca>, <hcenquiries@parliament.uk>, David Hulen <dhulen@alaskadispatch.com>, HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, <info@homewardtrust.ca>, <illinoisnewstoday@gmail.com>, <info@appliancerepairexpert.ca>, <info@ccla.org>, <IRIS@parliament.uk>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <jane.dawson@ubc.ca>, <janine.carandang@ubc.ca>, <jane.arthurs@ubc.ca>, Johnston, Patrick <pjohnston@postmedia.com>, <kgchaumont@fbi.gov>, <KathyCrawford@house.mi.gov>, <kprice@amnesty.ca>, <kmonague@nwac.ca>, <krishana.polite@nc.gov>, <kf@china.com>, <kelly@wssdc.com>, <kdundar@hdn.com.tr>, <lapointe@economicclub.ca>, <liaisonofficeny@icc-cpi.int>, <lawsociety@lso.ca>, <lethbridge@globalnews.ca>, <Letters@calgaryherald.com>, <laurie.chan@uottawa.ca>, <Lerb@gov.ab.ca>, Liz Sauvé <liz.sauve@telus.com>, <murbina@fbi.gov>, <melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca>, Qualtrough, Carla - M.P. <Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca>, <News@hawaiinewsnow.com>, <newsdesk@krqe.com>, <news@ammsa.com>, <new.scotland.yard@met.police.uk>, <NHTRC@polarisproject.org>, NCTE <ncte@transequality.org>, <news@abccolumbia.com>, NWAC Reception <reception@nwac.ca>, Naacp <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, News@KelownaNow.com <News@kelownanow.com>, <osd.pentagon.pa.mbx.ce-public-inquiries@mail.mil>, <otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int>, <osd.pa.dutyofficer@mail.mil>, <Oprah@oprah.com>, <ombudsman-communications@forces.gc.ca>, <octip@gov.bc.ca>, <pitches@texastribune.org>, <press@usda.gov>, <pro.ukk@kln.gov.my>, <premier@ontario.ca>, <press@bethsoft.com>, <premier@novascotia.ca>, <premier@gov.yk.ca>, <premier@gov.nt.ca>, <premier@gov.pe.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <press@hrc.org>, <premier@gnb.ca>, <report@aiusa.org>, <Roshunda.Ward@la.gov>, <santuzza.wolff@gov.ab.ca>, <sabrina.bhojani@ubc.ca>, Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@hhs.gov>, Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>, <tracy.mcphee@gov.yk.ca> Hey Everyone, I am writing to you today to discuss the homeless crisis facing our society. Each day men, women and children face an uncertain future in our society. With the rising cost of living many people turn to homeless shelters to survive. Many times these shelters rely on donations to help people who are struggling. Many people in today's society are a catastrophe away from the streets. I have heard that food and shelter are not guaranteed by the Charter and that these are not constitutional rights. I however disagree with this sentiment as I believe these are guaranteed under section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 7 states "[e]veryone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.” In my humble opinion this statute covers food and lodging. If these rights are guaranteed while incarcerated then they apply in everyday life. When you are homeless you are at a greater risk of death and danger. Even common tasks like food and movement become more dangerous without a home. As such if you are not housed then you cannot be guaranteed security of the person. In addition life and liberty are also beholden to a lack of accommodation. Furthermore, food insecurity is also a violation of section 7 as it can lead to death and suffering. In today's climate the social support system is not adequate to stave off homeless or hunger. During this pandemic the federal government decreed an amount for living in today's society. The amount of funds you get on welfare are negligible compared to this federal standard. Furthermore, many times your benefits are removed if you stay at a shelter. This is counter intuitive to escaping homelessness as many things homeless people need are not readily available. Things like undergarments and socks, bus passes, phone time cards as well as streaming subscriptions. Many times entertainment can stave off mental decline while homeless and prevent crime. Therefore these are basic needs that must be covered. As such we need to take a closer look at our homelessness epidemic with a focus on prevention. In my humble opinion we need to create a two tiered economy to combat inflation. Initially the main economy is for survival, things like food, rent, travel and entertainment are covered under one system that is not beholden to inflation. Then everything not akin to survival is housed under our current system. This will ensure greater opportunities for everyone to have what they need to live and the opportunity to work for more. This in my humble opinion will better help combat homelessness and hunger which are not only guaranteed under section 7 but under sections 12 and 15 of the Charter. Finally, disability support programs also need to be expanded to meet this federal standard. Many times people choose between medical needs and lodging leaving gaps in their lives. We fall down at times, we stumble but in these times of desperation we look to one another to rise. Together we can end poverty and make a better society for one another. To help fund this I propose we institute solar panels on each government and military building and the savings in energy per diem can be funnelled into the social support programs. Furthermore, harkening back to the geniuses in the UK. We should implement government farms to grow, can and distribute food to the needey. This can be used to offset military expenditure and create MRES for export. These profits can then be funnelled into the social support programs. As such I am hopeful that we can review this matter and brainstorm creative budgeting to help more people weather the storm of poverty. Together we are the maple leaf, a shining beacon of the true north strong and free. It's time to ensure that towering maple tree shades all of us no matter the situation. "All for one and one for all". Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @joneames2