Members of city council, I write this email to you all as a very concerned resident, taxpayer and long term social worker in the fields of health and Indigenous justice and advocacy.
I am gravely concerned about this very abrupt and highly secretive decision to relocate the people currently sheltering at Millenium Park to Moccasin Flats. I understand there are some safety concerns, however, this rushed relocation plan concerns me. The parts I am most concerned about are:
1. These secretive and behind closed doors meetings where these big decisions that impact on extremely complex matters are being made; and
2. The failure to collaborate with other agencies whose responsibilities directly impact on the issues at hand and with the service providers on the ground.
As we approach Truth and Reconciliation Day, there are fundamental and urgent social justice issues that need to be addressed in this community staring us right in the face. Some of you have taken a stand on these issues, speaking out about how much you care. People voted for you for these reasons.
Many of the people in these encampments have suffered ongoing and brutal legacies of multi-faceted trauma. Their situations are extremely complex. These people all have unique stories of what they have gone through in life.
Many agencies are to blame for this woeful state of affairs in my view, including the BC Public Health Officer, Northern Health, MCFD and their agents, BC Housing (specifically at the upper managerial levels for all mentioned on this list), and organizations contracted under those organizations to provide deliverables.
However, the way you are operating as council currently in these secretive and uncollaborative ways is intensifying the problems a thousand-fold, in addition to bringing much general upset and scrutiny your way.
Mary MacDonald
Prince George
