Poilievre promises to let police dismantle encampments, arrest occupants

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made a bold promise to clean up Canada’s streets and parks by granting police the authority to dismantle encampments and arrest individuals who set up tents and shelters to live in. During a campaign stop in Hamilton, Poilievre emphasized the importance of ensuring public spaces are safe for everyone and restoring order in communities.

“We will give people currently trapped in these dire circumstances a pathway to a better life,” Poilievre stated. The Conservative leader plans to amend the Criminal Code to empower law enforcement to arrest individuals who obstruct the public from using or moving through public spaces, particularly those who set up temporary structures like tents.

In addition to targeting those who set up encampments, Poilievre also aims to provide support for individuals living in these spaces by connecting them with housing, addiction treatment, and mental health services. While this proposal was not outlined in the Conservative platform released earlier, Poilievre assured that these individuals will be offered hope and excitement as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.

However, the specifics of how homeless individuals will be connected with housing and treatment, as well as the associated costs, have not been detailed in Poilievre’s announcement. The Conservative platform does mention the introduction of a “housing first” approach to combat homelessness, along with a commitment of $800 million over four years to treat 50,000 Canadians for addiction.

Poilievre’s plan also includes allowing judges to mandate drug treatment for individuals charged with illegally occupying public spaces or found in possession of drugs for personal use. While it remains unclear how this plan differs from existing public order offenses outlined in the Criminal Code, legal changes granting police the authority to dismantle encampments have already faced opposition in the courts.

In response to a court ruling preventing the eviction of individuals from an encampment in Kitchener, Ontario, due to a lack of shelter spaces, 13 Ontario mayors urged Premier Doug Ford to use the notwithstanding clause to override the decision. The notwithstanding clause, found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, allows parliaments to override certain portions of the Charter for a limited time.

Despite potential challenges, Poilievre has expressed a willingness to use the notwithstanding clause in other instances. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh criticized Poilievre’s approach, emphasizing the need for compassion and asserting that Canada, as one of the wealthiest countries globally, can and should do better in addressing homelessness.

As the debate continues on how best to address homelessness and encampments in public spaces, it is clear that finding a balanced solution that prioritizes both public safety and compassion is crucial.