Dear Editor
The headline on our news reports indicates that two homeless men from North Battleford were given one-way tickets to British Columbia. I am wondering why a community would take such action? Does the government of Saskatchewan not care about its most vulnerable people, sending them on a one-way trip with no plan for shelter going forward? The cynical part of me says it is just Saskatchewan trying to balance the budget by shifting their moral responsibility to another province. Another cynical part of me wonders if there is a systemic issue relating to this action.
It is not the first time that homeless people have been given one-way tickets to British Columbia from another Province. I believe that both Alberta and Ontario have taken these actions in the past. I am wondering if this action is something that compassionate Canadians want to endorse. Some people think that sending people to the coast of British Columbia is just fine because it is warmer here, however, winter on the coast is not a picnic for homeless people. The weather may not be below 0 C but it is often rainy at just above zero. The homeless here face the prospect of hypothermia from the cold and rain.
I have watched the cities of British Columbia struggle to address the issues of homelessness. The provincial and local governments are trying to address the issue of housing. The reasons for homelessness are complex, however, sending homeless people to another province does not make sense unless there is co-operation from the two provinces. The government in Saskatchewan is responsible for this issue and the lack of resources lies at the feet of the current government.
I am sure there are many compassionate people in North Battleford and throughout Saskatchewan who will respond in a positive manner to ensure those in power respond in a more compassionate and caring manner to the homeless in Saskatchewan.
Leslie Hawkins
Port Alberni, B.C.
