Councillor Bradford’s Motion to Clear Encampments Modified by Council

A motion introduced by Brad Bradford, the councillor for Beaches-East York, aimed at expediting the removal of homeless encampments near schools, parks, and daycares, received approval from the Toronto City Council late on Thursday night. Despite the motion’s passage, Bradford expressed disappointment, stating that it was significantly altered by an amendment.

The amendment, proposed by Councillor Paula Fletcher, shifted the focus of the motion to encampments located within 50 metres of schools, daycares, or playgrounds. Under this revised directive, the city is required to act within 24 hours of receiving reports about such encampments. Bradford’s original proposal sought to clear any encampments within 200 metres of specified locations, with a 48-hour response time.

Concerns Over Effectiveness of the Revised Motion

Bradford criticized the amendment, arguing that it limits the city’s ability to address the issue effectively. He took to social media on Friday to voice his concerns, stating, “Rather than listening to parents… Mayor Chow and her allies on council watered down the motion to address only 5 percent of encampments across the entire city.” He emphasized that this change would ultimately impact only a small number of encampments, leaving many unresolved.

In contrast, Councillor Stephen Holyday supported Bradford’s original motion and lamented the city’s inaction regarding the plight of homeless individuals. He remarked, “There are no longer places for local kids to play, and I think a compassionate approach is to help these people and get them into places like shelter and programs, such as treatment, that they need.”

Opposition to the Motion and Broader Implications

On the other hand, Councillor Gord Perks was a vocal critic of Bradford’s proposal. He argued that homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be resolved simply through legislative measures. “It’s a problem that we are managing as well as we can within our resources,” he said, adding that proposing a motion as a simplistic solution to homelessness is “dishonest politics.”

This debate reflects broader societal issues concerning homelessness and the challenges cities face in balancing community needs with compassion for vulnerable populations. As the city moves forward with its revised motion, the effectiveness of these measures will likely continue to be scrutinized by both supporters and critics.