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TDRC Media Releases |
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March
26, 2002 Enough
is Enough Since October 2001, the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee has been fighting tirelessly for the IMMEDIATE opening of a 200 bed shelter to deal with the current shelter crisis. The City’s response, or lack of, is causing much suffering and has even led to death of homeless people. Just one week ago a homeless woman burned to death on TEDCO land near the waterfront. It is unlikely that she would have accessed the present shelter system. How the City and other levels of government respond to the Homeless Disaster has become a national tragedy and a national embarrassment. TDRC has suggested the use of the Fort York Armoury as a temporary emergency shelter until longer term solutions are found. The armouries have been used as emergency shelters in the past. However, back and forth finger-pointing between the City and the Fed has stalled the matter. It is now clearly evident that the ball is in the City’s court. The federal Minister of Defence Art Eggleton indicates that the City must request the use of the Armouries and that the Armouries have been used for such a purpose in the past. On Wednesday March 27, at
Community Services Committee meeting, TDRC hopes for a final resolution on
the matter. TDRC spokespeople will be available for comments at 10am, on
Wednesday, in front of Committee Room 1, City Hall. For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net -30- |