‘Out of touch’: HRM alderman frustrated by NS minister’s comments about tents

Nova Scotia’s minister of community services has been criticized for comments she made about an increase in the number of tents around Halifax and Dartmouth.

Karla MacFarlane’s comment that more tents are visible in parks is part of a “natural evolution” of DST and has sparked a lot of backlash.

“There’s nothing natural about what’s happening,” said Dartmouth Center councilor Sam Austin. “You actually have to go back to the Halifax explosion to find a similar number of people outside.”

MacFarlane said Thursday that people can put up tents in the summer instead of couch surfing or staying in shelters because it’s a time when they can survive outside.

“I think it’s just a lot of people looking for that outlet and freedom to be outside,” she said.

However, the province is taking the issue seriously, she added, and has made huge investments in street workers to connect homeless people with resources.

Austin said the comments do not reflect the nature of the crisis felt by many in the region.

“The comments to me are woefully out of reach,” he said. “Our designated encampments are all full. The shelters are full. Our designated encampments on the Halifax side are full.’

Opposition politicians have also questioned what MacFarlane had to say.

The latest figures show that approximately 940 people have no permanent place to live in the region, despite the province’s investments in programs and housing over the past two years.

“I just didn’t like the way she put it”

MacFarlane said she is doing her best to ensure that the government continues to make significant investments.

Allan DeYoung, who lives in a Dartmouth encampment shelter, heard MacFarlane’s analysis on the radio.

The 62-year-old has been living outside for three years after he lost his apartment partly due to addiction and psychological problems.

“I just didn’t like the way she put it, like it’s a natural evolution or something and in the winter we go back to sleeping in igloos, just like she put it,” DeYoung said.

While he thinks MacFarlane’s comments could have been phrased better, he doesn’t think she meant “demeaning.”

Additionally, DeYoung said “she’s got a point.” He said at least four tents have recently been set up in the park where he lives.

“When winter comes, they’ll realize this isn’t going to work,” he said.

Although he has been offered places in shelters and hotels, DeYoung said he prefers to be in his own space and not be bothered by anyone.

Austin said he has been urging the county to do more on housing for years.

He is now calling on the government to respond as quickly as it has done for people displaced by the bushfires.

MacFarlane will release a statement Friday

MacFarlane released a statement Friday afternoon. It made no reference to Thursday’s original comments.

“I believe those who are homeless deserve to be safe, feel supported, have shelter and be treated with dignity,” the statement said.

“There’s no question that Nova Scotia is seeing an increase in people experiencing homelessness — whether they’re sleeping in an emergency shelter, hotel, or even on the street.”

The release also states that there are currently more than 500 assisted living units in the county and 347 of those are new in the past year.

“We know there is more to do and we will continue to work diligently to identify and implement further measures to help Nova Scotians,” the statement concludes.