Is it Council`s Fault?

Homelessness, illicit use of drugs, and associated criminal activities, are not new to our city but certainly have come to a head recently. Does the City of Vernon share in the responsibility for this situation? Perhaps, but I think it is unfair to single out one jurisdiction and point the finger. IHA, Mental health, Social Services, and the RCMP all have dealings and responsibilities with this abiding social problem.

Perhaps the City could be held accountable for not making their request for help more urgent and timely. Recent activity by the Activate Safety Task force brought the seriousness of the problem faced by members of our community to the forefront. This increased awareness will hopefully lead to some positive measures by those with the mandate to protect all members of our community.

As a member of council I would support an effort by Council to bring interested parties together to seek to ameliorate the situation. 

The recent task force itself recognized the paucity of input from such invaluable groups as the IHA, Mental Health or the Vernon Social Planning Council. This social problem with have no quick and easy solution but with the good will and cooperation of all, some solutions will surely be found.