Cambridge supports motion that looks to clear encampments, expand treatment and enforcement options

The City of Cambridge will support a motion put forward by the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) that would give municipalities more tools and support from higher levels of government to clear encampments and move those experiencing homelessness and addiction through the justice system and into treatment.

A heated discussion took place in the City of Cambridge council chambers on Tuesday.

The motion, in part, reads : “Housing, homelessness and healthcare – including access to appropriate and timely supports – are the responsibility of the Provincial government and proper management of these issues is crucial to addressing the root causes of the Humanitarian Crisis that Ontario is facing.”

The five page motion touches on many different points and aspects of the complex situation, and was crafted by mayors from around the province, alongside health professionals according to Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett.

Opinions in council chambers were mixed, with delegates speaking before council in clear opposition of the parts of the motion that would look to insinuate involuntary treatment.

“This motion may look good on paper, but it will not solve the problems in housing and healthcare that are causing the problems in housing and healthcare that are causing the spike of humanitarian crisis in our public spaces, in fact, I would call this motion a political trojan horse,” Robin Shultz, a citizen and delegate, said.

The motion reads: “An encounter with the criminal court system can be an effective pathway to treatment when the offender is offered a timely and effective treatment referral through a Diversion Court process. the Province’s plan to create 19 treatment hubs is a good step and has the potential to substantially improve access to treatment that can be referred through a Diversion Court process if these hubs are properly funded, accessible and expanded in scope and number based on community need.”

Councillor Scott Hamilton also opposed the motion, questioning whether or not municipal governments had a part to play in making important decisions on the future of health services.

“Its a health crisis, not a political crisis, and when we go to health experts, what do they say? There seems to be an overwhelming body of evidence that says mandatory treatment, or involuntary treatment, doesn’t work,” said Hamilton.

Councillor Adam Cooper was supportive of the motion.

“The residents of this city have rights too, and this motion supports giving us the necessary legal authority to act immediately and effectively,” said Cooper. “Is it going to take a body inside of one of these encampments to force us to take action?”

Mayor Liggett pushed back on the notion that those supporting the motion lacked empathy, citing times she’s dealt with those experiencing homelessness and addiction in her personal life.

“Before anybody says ‘walk a mile in their shoes’, I’ve done that,” said Liggett. “I have that lived experience. I know what it’s like for these people. I know what it’s like to care about them and love them and want to make a difference.”

The motion passed with six councillors in favour and three opposed, those being councillors Hamilton, Ross Earnshaw and Sheri Roberts.

Their support of the motion will be passed along to the heads of Canadian government, including Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.