Quote of the Day: “Have we reached the ultimate state of absurdity where some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, while other people are not held responsible for what they themselves are doing today?” Thomas Sowell
On the Front Page today, Paige Desmond writes about the decision yesterday made by Justice Michael J. Valente that ruled the region’s bylaw to evict trespassers on regionally owned properties violates their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to life, security and liberty of the person. He stated that he refused the injunction application by the Region “because of the Region’s lack of effort to connect with residents and meet their unique needs.” Wow. Desmond tells us that this is a precedent setting legal decision. She asks: “How the decision will impact two other large encampments at 150 Main St. in Cambridge, on regional property, and on Roos Island in Victoria Park, owned by the City of Kitchener, isn’t yet known.” Well, I know how it will impact these places. It now means that no region, city, town, hamlet or cross roads junction can evict trespassers who plop down a tent unless each region, city, town, hamlet or cross roads junction make an “effort to connect with residents and meet their unique needs.” Wow. The word “extortion” comes to mind…
Hey – we have an Editorial today!!! Nice. Oh, it’s about the Greenbelt. *cough*
You know what they say about a broken clock? Well, today, on the Insight Page, Bob Hepburn is actually correct when he suggests in his op-ed that: “Housing solutions are out there”. He tells us about Julia Deans, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada and her solutions to the so-called housing crisis: “First, enact zoning laws that allow increased density and supply. Second, reduce municipal red tape that ties up development for years. Third, increase the amount of land designated for affordable housing.” Oh, you mean implement market based solutions and restrict government involvement in private business decisions??? Oh, how original. I’ll bet that Hepburn was grinding his teeth when he wrote that…
On the Insight Page, Simeon Kibaalya from TheRecord’s Community Editorial Board has a heart breaking story about the upcoming 40th anniversary of his father’s murder in Uganda by Idi Amin’s agents. Terrifying to read. And after learning about stories like this, I am ever so grateful that I live in Canada and I’m also grateful that men and women like Kibaalya have found Canada to call their new home. But, let’s not forget that after Amin was disposed, he was able to live out his life, not a prison cell, but in luxury in Saudi Arabia.