To the editor,
The waste of human potential, and any contribution to society by street-dependent people is really unbelievable, if not overwhelming, in our cities. The problem grows.
The cost to society is, likewise, a huge problem in servicing. Medical and ambulatory, financial support, food needs, policing and corporate security with high incidences of damage, theft, deaths and killings and other crimes. City infrastructure damage, arson, garbage and waste, are all huge costs to all taxpayers – which should not be acceptable.
Society cannot continue to bear this compounding tragedy being a part of the present environmental mess, nor live with it and pass it on to a younger generation to emulate.
Much of this problem is salvageable. Society has needs to be met inclusively by everyone. Transients and those loitering city streets are in need of inspiration and purpose, self-respect, and to be actively engaged, not relying on handouts, shopping carts, and tarps to exist.
Therefore, since Canada’s economy must become more self-reliant this could also be a solution.
No to cheap overseas widgets and products that break too easily. We need our present wasted manpower to come in off the streets and be a part of the workforce and take a pride in contributing alongside the rest of us. To those able to and earn their keep.
We need newly envisaged start-up companies, supported initially with municipal and federal help, to make and to market products normally purchased abroad from sometimes dubious sources. To temporarily house, or rent, pay, and train with hand skills. To identify and meet local retail customer, business, municipal and interprovincial needs and products.
Newly elected municipal representatives, get imaginative, get involved. Set an example for other regions. Get Canada’s under-employed, homeless, and unwell on their feet again. Citizens require this of you so that we all will benefit.
Doug Miller, Nanaimo
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Those on the streets and victims of crime both deserve better
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