Honourable Premier Furey
Honourable Minister Hutton
Honourable Minister Abbott
Honourable Minister Hogan
This week, notices went up in and around Bannerman Park and the Colonial Building indicating the intent to remove temporary, semi-permanent and permanent structures. Actions to steal and displace belongings of Residents at Tent City are deeply disturbing and misaligned with the intentions and goals set out in the Fall of 2023 when the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Task Force on Housing was instated. More importantly, these actions are in conflict with international human rights law and Canadian legislation. In effect, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is infringing on the human rights of Residents of Tent City through both the threat of forced eviction by destroying or removing homes made of tents or found materials, and neglecting to provide regular access to sanitation facilities, including showers.
Empty tents or structures at any given time do not indicate that they have been permanently vacated, as Resident Protestors must access other basic needs such as food, healthcare and other social connections like everybody else. The current shelter options do not provide safe, long-term alternatives to Tent City. Resident Protesters are aware of their needs, and have communicated these to Government and community members alike. It is clear that these needs are not met by current shelter alternatives. People living in homelessness call the Emergency shelter line as a last resort; the instruction to ‘self-resolve’ is futile.
People who experience multiple forms of oppression and systemic discrimination are most likely to be in core housing need – without housing that is adequate, suitable or affordable. This includes women-led single parent households, racialized and newcomer families, Indigenous people, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, young people, and folks with disabilities.
While community members protesting alongside Residents are tirelessly organizing and building community, housing workers in non-profit organizations are coordinating innovative, low-barrier, supportive housing models with limited resources. For example, our supportive housing model is harm reduction focussed, meaning residents don’t have to be sober or well to live at Marguerite’s Place. We know we need more diverse housing options that meet the unique needs of people living without adequate and affordable housing and who live in chronic homelessness. This includes people who have dependents, pets, people who use substances, and who experience physical and/or mental health unwellness.
The direct and indirect efforts of the Task Force on Housing or any other publicly funded body, including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, must not be aimed at dismantling the homes and structures of encampment residents or threatening their removal. Rather, the investment of time, resources and infrastructure must be directed towards creating and sustaining suitable housing options, particularly the development of new and maintaining existing public, non-profit and community housing models. Housing options must be safe, adequate and affordable. Housing is a human right.
We urge you to:
- Remove signs and notices indicating intent to remove homes and structures, and divest from all punitive and surveillance focused harassment strategies.
- Ensure the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is upholding human rights for Tent City Resident Protestors in St. John’s and across the province.
- Invest resources in increasing and diversifying long-term, safe, secure, and affordable housing that meets the needs identified by Resident Protestors.
In solidarity with Resident Protestors,
St. John’s Status of Women Council
