Youth Empowerment Services

Federal Conservative Leader states: New legislation permitting Police Officers to remove all homeless encampments from public spaces

I am disappointed to hear a leader sharing this information:

On April 23, 2025, CP24 broadcast Mr Poilievre informing attendees at a political forum that when he is the Prime Minister of Canada, he will give police officers the power to remove all homeless encampments across Canada!

Two very important things came to mind:
1. Where will the police officers find the resources and the time to add this role to their duties of maintaining public safety, enforcing the laws and protecting the communities? Would the police services need to hire social workers, mental health workers, find housing and other areas of support that the homeless require?
2. Will he also ensure that police officers (along with all they already do) provide other aspects of healthcare, rehabilitation and job training? Will police officers be assigned to provide food assistance programs, transportation and substance abuse treatments?
I suggest that this leader collaborate with the folks who are on the ground doing this work daily on behalf of our homeless folks along with those who have experienced homelessness to ensure community wide engagement to actively work on barriers and solutions. Allow police officers to do what they are trained to do and to collaborate when required.
I am discouraged by this leader’s lack of knowledge about the homeless who live in encampments. May he increase his knowledge so that if he becomes the next Prime Minister of our country, he ensures that there is a an assigned MP who has compassion and empathy and who is given the resources to collaborate with our provinces , northern territories and municipalities to find solutions to these sad situations. We must all uphold dignity and human rights of everyone. Forced encampment evictions make people more unsafe and expose them to greater risk of harm and violence. They did not purposefully choose this life style.

What homeless folks need the most are those who will make a positive difference in their lives.

Consider ways you can help: Make a donation to the shelters, not necessarily money.

Here are a few ideas: toiletries: toothpaste and toothbrushes, these items bring a smile and basic hygiene care, personal hygiene products, soap and shampoo in plastic bottles, shaving cream and disposable razors, clothing such as underwear, T-shirts, menstrual supplies, infant and toddler supplies, gentle used clothing and toys.

There are other ways that each of us can be kind and helpful. When the homeless are removed from these encampments, support them to move upward and onward. Think of what your needs would be if you became homeless.

Remember: kindness, thoughtfulness, tolerance, gentleness, compassion, and caring.