Community members rally in support of people living in Charlottetown encampment
Folks residing in an encampment on the Charlottetown Occasion Grounds want assist and housing and not an eviction discover, says a bunch of group members involved for his or her well-being.
About 30 folks gathered close to the P.E.I. Legislature on Sunday holding indicators with messages together with “Housing is a Human Proper” and “No Evictions.” Additionally they collected signatures for a petition they plan to ship to the federal government.
“Nobody must be with out shelter,” mentioned Chanel Briggs of Charlottetown Mutual Support, which helped manage the rally. “Nobody must be with out heat. Nobody must be with out assets.
“It is also the vacation season. It is a very unhappy time for group members and we’re simply asking for folks to be cognizant, bear in mind, be observant of what is occurring to our group members proper now.”
Members of the P.E.I. Combat For Inexpensive Housing group mentioned the province confirmed these residing on the encampment are anticipated to vacate now {that a} new emergency shelter with 50 beds has opened on Park Avenue in Charlottetown.
Nonetheless, advocates mentioned the shelter’s hours of operation — 8 p.m. to eight a.m. — go away tenants with few locations to remain heat in the course of the day.
Nouhad Mourad, one of many organizers of the rally, mentioned the shelter must be accessible 24 hours a day and adequately assist the folks residing there.
“In any other case they’re successfully evicting folks on the encampment and unhousing them additional. They’re eradicating any stability they’ve of their lives at the moment. Why would we do this? Why would not we work with the group to search out higher options?”
These residing on the encampment say they’ve acquired discover from the province to wash up potential fireplace hazards by Monday.
A letter addressed from the Charlottetown Fireplace Division mentioned propane tanks are saved incorrectly, jerry cans are scattered about and turbines will not be getting used safely.
Elizabeth Cyr, one other supporter on the rally Sunday, mentioned it is all of the extra motive to offer higher assist. There hasn’t been correct rubbish removing, both, she famous.
“The group that’s residing on the encampment now’s conscious there are hazards and people are doing their greatest to remain heat and survive the winter,” she mentioned.
CBC has requested the province and fireplace division for remark however has but to listen to again.
