Thanks for heading west to produce an on the ground view from a Prairie city. I have a couple of comments/observations:
- Mayor Gillingham didn’t bag a large plurality of the vote, but it was a large field, including 3 or 4 quality candidates who split the center-right vote. Glen Murray had commanding leads in polls conducted through the summer and fall, but his center-left platform fizzled at the finish line.
- The homeless issues in Winnipeg are serious. Perhaps on scale no worse than other big cities except for the harsh winter weather. The human resources and shelter space devoted to the homeless on a cold winter night is impressive and worthy of praise, but the more that is committed the worse it gets.
The dialogue over the homeless tragedy is dominated by the social conscience players, who spend lots of time hand wringing over root causes of being homeless (as did Judy Wasylycia-Leis in Mr. Wells podcast). Unfortunately, there is very little discussion about personal responsibilities that the homeless have toward those of us who are warm and safe every night. The public isn’t allowed to have expectations that a homeless encampment would be clean, tidy and free of criminal activity. So open fires consume lives through carelessness. Some feature chop shops, a lucrative sideline to “recycle” stolen bikes for cash. But should kids playing nearby have to tip toe around used needles? Why should the elderly brave the weather and stand in human waste at bus stops while the homeless set up shop in the heated bus shelters?
There is something wrong with the way that this picture has developed, and some strong willed politicians are sorely needed to bring a rational viewpoint to the situation. I hope Mayor Gillingham can make some progress.
That was interesting. I didn’t realize that Winnipeg was in such disrepair but of course the pandemic was a shockwave to social determinants of health everywhere. I wonder if our governments look hard enough around the world at best practices to solving issues of poverty, homelessness and drug addiction? I am especially thinking of the Nordic countries. I still remember the unappreciated push from their Excellencies Clarkson and Saul to build stronger bridges to that part of the world and I still think it’s a missed opportunity that we haven’t.
Thanks for heading west to produce an on the ground view from a Prairie city. I have a couple of comments/observations:
- Mayor Gillingham didn’t bag a large plurality of the vote, but it was a large field, including 3 or 4 quality candidates who split the center-right vote. Glen Murray had commanding leads in polls conducted through the summer and fall, but his center-left platform fizzled at the finish line.
- The homeless issues in Winnipeg are serious. Perhaps on scale no worse than other big cities except for the harsh winter weather. The human resources and shelter space devoted to the homeless on a cold winter night is impressive and worthy of praise, but the more that is committed the worse it gets.
The dialogue over the homeless tragedy is dominated by the social conscience players, who spend lots of time hand wringing over root causes of being homeless (as did Judy Wasylycia-Leis in Mr. Wells podcast). Unfortunately, there is very little discussion about personal responsibilities that the homeless have toward those of us who are warm and safe every night. The public isn’t allowed to have expectations that a homeless encampment would be clean, tidy and free of criminal activity. So open fires consume lives through carelessness. Some feature chop shops, a lucrative sideline to “recycle” stolen bikes for cash. But should kids playing nearby have to tip toe around used needles? Why should the elderly brave the weather and stand in human waste at bus stops while the homeless set up shop in the heated bus shelters?
There is something wrong with the way that this picture has developed, and some strong willed politicians are sorely needed to bring a rational viewpoint to the situation. I hope Mayor Gillingham can make some progress.
Well for sure I will be renewing my subscription to help pay for your trip to my city !
And as a bonus you spoke to the person I volunteered for in the election.
The interview reinforced everything I know about him.
That was interesting. I didn’t realize that Winnipeg was in such disrepair but of course the pandemic was a shockwave to social determinants of health everywhere. I wonder if our governments look hard enough around the world at best practices to solving issues of poverty, homelessness and drug addiction? I am especially thinking of the Nordic countries. I still remember the unappreciated push from their Excellencies Clarkson and Saul to build stronger bridges to that part of the world and I still think it’s a missed opportunity that we haven’t.
Hi Paul,
Have you taken a break from your regular writing schedule on Substack?
All the best.
Article title is sung to the tune of “how do you solve a problem like Maria?”
("How do you solve a problem like homeLESSness?")
Loved that movie, all the music...Earworm for the day.