Dear Editor,
I’m writing to express my disappointment with the city’s recent decision to put the Bridge Housing project on hold.
I’ve attended most of the meetings on both Massey Commons and the Bridge Housing project. Each time, we were met with a wall of loud, angry Not In My Backyarders, who were allowed to complain rather than being directed to ask questions. They walked in prepared to hijack proceedings with protestations rather than gather information, operating on the firm assumption that all homeless people are drug addicts who will assault and victimize their neighbours and leave a trail of dirty needles behind.
Cries of “What about the children?” “ My property values will go down!” rang out.
The people who are homeless are or were somebody’s children, brothers, sisters, parents. Even those struggling with addiction deserve a chance to improve their lives, with a roof over their heads. The notion that a homeless person can pull themselves up by their bootstraps is absurd. I would love to see its proponents try in similar circumstances.
The circular logic of these consultations is exhausting. When local police and social services assure residents there will be supervision, cameras, and on-site staff to protect the community, the same voices cry: “You see — the fact that you’ll police it proves there will be criminals.” And so, the consultations multiply, relitigating fears that cannot be allayed because they were never open to evidence.
Bridge Housing is a supported model. Residents have access to services, staff are present, and the project is designed to reduce the chaos of unsheltered homelessness. Homelessness is a well-documented and growing problem in Cornwall, and this project represents a considered response to it.
A government that is working properly is committed to helping all of its citizens. The NIMBYers of Cornwall have a right to their opinions. The city has a duty to protect all of its people, without judgment or prejudice.
Halting this project sends two messages: that this kind of pressure tactic works, and that the city has, in effect, agreed with the protestors that some humans have rights and others are somehow subhuman.
I urge residents who support this project to write to their city councillors and make that support heard. You can write to all council members with this address: [email protected] or mail your letter to City Hall. If you are not sure what to write, you are most welcome to use my letter and sign it.
Regards,
Louise Mignault
Cornwall, Ontario
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