Province eyes plan to tackle homelessness, social development minister says

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David Amos

Methinks I have every right to say BS because these people didn't care about the reasons behind the fact that I was homeless since 2005 merely because I ran against their political parties and did not beg the government for assistance N'esy Pas?

Trevis L. Kingston

@David Amos Sorry...How could "merely running against political parties make
you homeless" since 2005?
Are you still homeless?
And are the same persons in office now that failed you...as in 2005?
Perhaps the problem lies within...not without.
I wish you better times in the future and the power to accept the things that you cannot change.

David Amos

@Trevis L. Kingston Methinks political people should their homework before they make fun of another man's troubles N'esy Pas?

Trevis L. Kingston

@David Amos ...I am neither political...nor...have I made any fun of anothers troubles...
I asked for clarification of your remarks only.
How you take my inquiries...is totally upon yourself.
Methinks...N'esy Pas?

Roger Richard

@Trevis L. Kingston Mr. Amos is a whistleblower. Whistleblowers are not protected in our society. Mighty powers easily put them in the ground because we just do not care.

Province eyes plan to tackle homelessness, social development minister says

CBC New Brunwswick's political panel debates the provincial government's role in addressing homelessness

CBC News · Posted: Feb 15, 2019 4:00 AM AT

This week's political panel discussed the provincial government's responsibility to deal with homelessness. (CBC)

The Progressive Conservative government is working on a plan to help homeless people after Fredericton's temporary winter shelter closes, Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard said Thursday.

An overnight shelter in the city's downtown opened last fall because of a lack of beds at other shelters in the city, but it will close March 31.

Shephard said she was surprised by a letter Fredericton city council wrote to her this week, asking the province to step up and help with homelessness.

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"We have the community partners all working together now," Shephard said on the CBC New Brunswick Political Panel podcast.

She didn't expand on provincial plans to help the people who face sleeping outdoors again when the shelter closes.

A housing plan will be shared with the public soon, she said.

The city's letter to Shephard said the city doesn't have the mandate, expertise or resources to provide social programs and temporary shelter services.

Minister of Social Development Dorothy Shephard said the government is trying to tackle homelessness as best it can. (CBC)

Shephard said there's no easy solution to the problem of homelessness.

"It's been around for quite some time, and government after government tries to deal with it the best way they can."

Liberal MLA Lisa Harris, the former minister for seniors and long-term care, said she's not sure the provincial government will be able to follow through with its plan.

"March 31 isn't going to be a warm [and] sunny day probably, and yes, the problem of homelessness has been around for a very long time, but it certainly has escalated just in this past year," Harris said.

Lisa Harris said she's worried the provincial government won't be able to follow through on helping homeless people. (CBC)

"We have many different community groups doing the best that they can, but obviously they don't have the money that allows them to be able to help these people."

Harris said this is a "time-sensitive issue," and she's afraid people are going to be on the streets again in April.

"It's not just the City of Fredericton's issue. It's a New Brunswick issue."

Green Party Leader David Coon said there are things the minister can do within her department to help with homelessness.

Green Party Leader David Coon said there are things Shephard can do within her department to make it easier to get housing. (CBC)

"There are people in shelters who can't get into subsidized housing because … they were in subsidized housing some years ago and maybe they owe $650 or something, and they can't get back into subsidized housing," Coon said.

"Those kind of issues need to be addressed, so that we can reduce the number of people who are in shelters who can be housed more easily."

People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin said municipalities should look after "these types of social issues."

"The public sector managing this ship of trying to build an economy and trying to look after our homeless and everything else it tries to do is just not realistic," he said.

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David Raymond Amos Round 3

Friday, 15 February 2019