Letters to the Editor: Housing is a right; racism has no place; rethink lane closures

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Housing is a right

Re: “City to relocate Belle Park campers,” May 22.

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We are writing this letter in response to the information in the Whig-Standard article that outlines the city’s plans to evict people from Belle Park encampment.

The right to housing is enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as our own Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The UN Special Rapporteur for Housing stated in April 2020 in the National Protocol of Homeless Encampments in Canada that “encampments are a reflection of Canadian governments’ failure to successfully implement the right to adequate housing.” The right to housing includes not only a place to live but a place that ensures “security, peace and dignity.” Security, peace and dignity surely cannot be defined by a third party but must be self-defined, by the individual whose housing is under consideration.

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The National Protocol proposes eight key principles when considering encampments such as the one in Belle Park. Among them are meaningful engagement and participation of encampment residents, and prohibition of forced evictions.

This applies in Kingston as well. The people living in encampments are, as the national protocol states, “experts of their living spaces,” and should be listened to. The protocol states that they have a right to waste management, clean water and electricity for charging phones, among other basic necessities. It is possible that if these were provided, some people would choose to remain camped in Belle Park. It is likely, however, that the fact that a significant portion of the homeless population in Kingston has congregated at Belle Park is a sign that the city and its partners have not been successful in finding solutions that are truly acceptable and accessible to this marginalized population, that ensure “security, peace and dignity” according to their own standards and priorities, that are trauma-informed and in keeping with the principles of harm reduction.

This is at least the second time that the City of Kingston has evicted people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been additional reports of forced relocations by police from the Memorial Centre, near Kingston Health Sciences Centre and from Princess Street. It would appear that there is a significant and concerning pattern of forced relocations happening, and that the options proposed to date by the city have not met the above-mentioned standard.

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Once the city and its partners, in true collaboration and communication with people experiencing homelessness and their chosen advocates, have successfully found alternative, preferable housing options for the people who have made Belle Park their home, then a discussion of eviction will likely no longer be necessary. Until then, and in fact at any time, it is thoroughly inappropriate, in disregard of our obligations under national and international conventions, and in violation of citizens’ rights to propose forcible relocation.

As health professionals concerned not only with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized citizens but also with the ongoing impact of threats to their social determinants of health, such as safe and secure housing, we propose that the city reconsider its plans to relocate the residents of Belle Park, and re-engage both with the residents of Belle Park and a broader spectrum of service providers until such time as housing solutions have been found that meet the self-identified needs of the residents, that is, that are truly accessible and acceptable to the people they are meant to serve.

Dr. Eva Purkey, Queen’s University Department of Family Medicine

Dr. Meredith MacKenzie, Street Health Centre

Dr. Susan Bartels, Queen’s University Department of Emergency Medicine

Dr. Rosemary Wilson, Queen’s University School of Nursing

Dr. Nazik Hammad, Queen’s University Department of Oncology

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‘Kingston Police stand united and in solidarity with our community’

On behalf of all members of the Kingston Police, we would like to reassure our community that we are here to serve and protect all citizens in our beautiful city and we value the rich partnerships and relationships we have developed with you over the years. We are proud to have been your police service since 1841, and we will continue to earn your respect, trust and confidence in policing by adhering to our values: Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, Partnership, Leadership and Excellence.

Time and again in our world we see violent and racist behaviours, both overt and subtle, demonstrated towards persons of colour and Indigenous Peoples by those who hold power and privilege, including some in law enforcement. These behaviours have no place in our society; they are not condoned in our community; and they have no place in law enforcement.

The Kingston Police are committed to being part of a culture of change. We stand united and in solidarity with our community and those experiencing racism and discrimination in all its ugly forms. It is important for us to listen to and learn from your experiences; addressing our own biases and privilege through meaningful and honest dialogue will continue to be part of our continual learning within our organization and will help ensure that we have a workplace that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. This principle encompasses not only gender and cultural diversity but also diversity of thought and a culture of acceptance.

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The death of George Floyd has brought many together to hold vigils and demonstrations to show solidarity with those who suffer from racist behaviours, and we acknowledge your right to bring these important issues to the forefront respectfully and peacefully. We will be there to support you in your efforts to promote healthy dialogue and to keep everyone safe. During these unprecedented times, I am reminded that we are a caring community with strength in leadership throughout Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. We are all in this together, and we must have respect for all as we walk side by side into the future.

Antje McNeely, Chief of Police

Christopher Scott, Deputy Chief

Brian Begbie, Inspector

Daniel Mastin, Inspector

Carolyn Rice, Inspector

Cameron Gough, President, Kingston Police Association

Rethink lane closures

The city is taking a misstep with its plan to close down lanes of multiple streets downtown — especially when it comes to complete street closures. The city needs to rethink its plan. I have a mobility disability. If I wish to do business anywhere within these zones, I will be forced to park an even greater distance away than I am now.

The loss of many parking spots along Princess Street years ago was bad enough. The city is forcing me to seriously reconsider visiting any downtown business. Doesn’t that contradict the very idea of closing lanes to cars: to get more people to feel comfortable downtown so that they will conduct business there?

Lynn Hargreaves

Kingston