Hello All - Since posting this petition two days ago, a lot has happened. 

Public Progess ( lead by Bruce Davis) and hired by the City of Toronto to ensure that the community is informed and 'happy' about this shelter has set meeting dates for 'unofficial' information meetings. 

For those who do not know how this started... a quick summary 

In December, just before Christmas- the City decided to quickly green light 6 new shelters to help the homeless, however, these decisions were made without any discussion with local residents or business owners - there was no community engagement. Most of us found out from a quick clip on CP 24 

All of these new shelters are in areas that already have a high level of saturation of services for Marginalized people. Our Area - Another post will follow in coming days to document that the extent of this. 

Meeting # 1 was Friday at Wood's Manor at 10am. Approximately 40 local residents showed up and were denied entry to this meeting by Mr Davis. Some seniors personally invited seniors from our group into the building. Those who were brought in by residents were asked to leave by Mr Davis and his assistant. They were  told they were not welcome etc.   We came because no meeting has been set for residents of the area.  The seniors we spoke with do not want this shelter. Many told stories of currently being fearful because there are local homeless people who break into their building, urinate and defecate in stairwells, steal from their community area and act in a menacing way. They know that putting an 80 bed shelter next to them will only compound the problem that they already face.

Our seniors deserve to live in their own homes, free from this added worry and fear!!

There is another meeting planned by Mr Davis /Public Progress for this coming Tuesday January 14th - I believe from 10am -12pm 

They want to take the names and emails from all the residents and with the offer of some free tea and cookies convince them that the Shelter will be good for them so they can return to the city of Toronto and the Media and say they have their support. From what we saw - they absolutely do not.  Thank You to all the seniors of Wood's Manor!   

Please also know that  Councillor Amber Morley- Our  elected official for Ward 3 is the deputy Mayor of Toronto. Her office does not respond to our emails or calls requesting for information on this project.  She has not, and to our knowledge, will not be attending any of these information meetings.  The City has a plan for tremendous expansion of shelters - so I guess the question is ' Is she, our elected representative for Ward 3 representing the interests of her constituents or the city of Toronto?'

It currently would appear that she is acting for the CITY OF TORONTO and not for South Etobicoke. 

Those who met on Friday and were denied entry to the meeting have now unified - we have grown in numbers on this petition ( thank you so much for all who signed it!) and we have started a facebook page and have a meeting planned which we invite you to attend. 

MONDAY JANUARY 20th at 7pm at Maple Leaf House at Lakeshore and First Street.