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TDRC Media Releases |
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March 5, 2002 Who is
Responsible? Homeless and agency people from across Toronto are demanding that aid be made available for homeless people. Tony Ianno, a federal Liberal MP, stated in the February 28, 2002 issue of the Eye Weekly that “the armouries would be made available if the City asked for them.” At the City’s Homeless Advisory Committee emergency meeting on February 22 -- at which over one hundred people attended in an emotionally charged Council Chamber -- a unanimous vote recommended that a 200 bed shelter be made available immediately. Last Sunday night supporters joined in solidarity with the homeless people sleeping at Nathan Phillips Square for a long cold night. “The situation has never been
more dangerous,” says Cathy Crowe, an active member of Toronto’s
Homeless Advisory Committee. “I phoned around last night -- one of the
coldest and most miserable nights of the year.
And you know what, many people weren’t able to get in from the
cold. Ironically, while City Councillors in warm committee rooms
and Council Chambers debating cutting the shelter budget, people are
forced to sleep outside City Hall in the cold and bitter wind.” On Wednesday March 6, a large
delegation will be visiting Tony Ianno, who has agreed to meet at the Fort
York Armoury. This
building is in Mr. Ianno’s federal riding. “The Canadian army intervenes with aid around the world. Surely the armouries can be made available to save lives in Canada,” says Jack Layton, City Councillor and co-chair of Toronto’s Homeless Advisory Committee. For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net -30- |