Re tent city:
Members of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition would like to thank Helen Hollywood and others who have pitched their tents on the lawn of the legislative building whether through necessity or as an act of solidarity. It is a powerful reminder that finding adequate and appropriate housing is such a challenge in Whitehorse.
At the coalition’s monthly meeting last week it was agreed we need to do more than just raise awareness and lobby for better solutions to this crisis.
We realize that, as a community, we have failed one another. Do we really believe some people deserve adequate housing and some people don’t? Do we believe that living in a tent is OK? Do we think that because someone is on social assistance, or has a low-paying job, or is new to town, or has a head injury, or has a mental-health condition or has an addiction that they somehow deserve worse housing?
Do we have no options except to blame the government?
Can we stand by, as a community, and just wait? Or can we look for leadership, work together and demonstrate that we are a community that cares? Why can’t we work with all levels of government, businesses, the faith community and individuals and find solutions?
Coalition members believe Whitehorse should be a place where there is a home for everyone. Do you?
Ross Findlater, Bill Thomas,
Reanna Sutton, co-chairs
Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition