We continue to make big wins at the municipal level!
On the heels of our successful motion in County of Brant to reject the use of the Notwithstanding Clause against homeless people, we also won our motions in Orillia and Guelph! All three motions have passed and all three municipalities have made a commitment to oppose the removal of homeless people's Charter right.
The win in Guelph is particularly big — Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie is one of the original signatories of the letter from Mayors to Premier Ford. This means that we've successfully flipped two of the original 15 Mayors — Guthrie as well as Joe Preston in St. Thomas.
I want to thank all of the delegates in both Orillia and Guelph — including Brandon Rhéal Amyot and Kate Nixon, who helped to organize in their respective cities. I also want to thank Councillors Durnford and Fallis (Orillia) and Caton and Allt (Guelph) for their willingness and work to introduce these motion. And, of course, Councillor Oakley and Mayor Bailey (County of Brant) for their motion!
But our collective work isn't done — and I'll continue to support Councillors to organize motions in their municipalities! These include Chatham-Kent, which will be debated at Council on December 16th!
Now for the bad news ...
We will likely see Ford introduce legislation regarding encampments tomorrow, Thursday December, 12, at or before 1 pm.
Stay tuned for updates, and stay strong — the Legislature goes on winter break tomorrow, so there will be no time to pass new legislation. That gives us plenty of time to organize, and to fight!
In the meantime, share this petition and these updates, talk to family and friends over the holidays, and write or speak to your Councillor and MPP — the more they hear from you, the likelier we are to win our fight!
In solidarity,
Diana