Print Edition: March 12, 2014
Many curious people and those who are current with the events in our city came together for the screening of The Chicken Manure Incident. While I sat in the centre of the auditorium, I learned that a panel discussion was to take place after the film with Mayor Bruce Banman, Police Chief Bob Rich, Jim Burkinshaw, and Jesse Wegenast of 5&2 Ministries.
The film introduced us to the scenes of homelessness in Abbotsford and the real faces of people who are homeless. We saw that people without a home are just human beings with stories and problems like the rest of us. Some did suffer from a mental illness, an addiction, or have lived through traumatic circumstances. We were introduced to the reality that anyone could be homeless; perhaps this is why many people ignore the issue.
Throughout the film the question was asked: who is responsible for the homeless? The City of Abbotsford, the faith communities, or the provincial government?
The problem began with morality.
Abbotsford residents are proud to declare that they have a strong moral compass for what’s right. However, since the proposed facility did not have a sobriety requirement, the idea made many people uncomfortable, particularly the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA).
People, including the Mayor and the ADBA were fearful that a facility housing the homeless in the C7 zone, or ‘Old Downtown,’ would be detrimental to the well-being of businesses. Fears were exclaimed that a facility housing 20 men would host, all of a sudden, drugs, prostitution, lowered property value, and a loss of profit because people would avoid Old Downtown.
The proposed facility was officially rejected due to an agreement by the city and the ADBA drafted in 2004 to prevent housing and harm reduction initiatives in the C7 zone.
A document sent to the City by the ADBA days before the referendum said, “have the integrity to uphold the bylaws.”
Indeed, all integrity was lost. The revered values are now the profit of the businesses and property taxes the city will gladly accept.
In response to the film Mayor Banman stated that the chicken manure incident was the result of miscommunication — a joke which became a reality the next day.
The Mayor stated that something had to be done. While the Ministry of Social Development, B.C. Housing came forward with $15 million for the proposed 20-person facility.
I heard time and again that we must take action, that there needs to be solution; all the while the solution came and we threw it away all because of a business pact.
While asked for solutions about the homelessness in Abbotsford, Mayor Banman and Bob Rich answered pointedly that addiction and mental illness were the root of the problem. This is true, however people can’t get help for either issue while living on the street.
Our Mayor Bruce Banman said that homelessness wasn’t an issue in the past because people were given indefinite prison sentences. We have come a long way, enacting basic human rights, on the behalf of all people, not just those in a position of privilege. I focused on him — he looked thoughtful, as if dreaming about the good ol’ days. To paraphrase him, he said: “if people cannot help themselves, then I think they should be just locked away for their own good.”
Silence pierced our ears.
His comment would be the climax of the panel discussion.
My anger stems from the “morality,” values, and judgements expressed by the City, the ADBA, and the residents of Abbotsford. People are disagreeing over what is best for a population who lives a lifestyle radically different from their own. The beliefs and judgments for what’s right are halting any progress from occurring on the matter of homelessness.
The initial proposal should have proceeded. However, the City, the ADBA, and the residents of Abbotsford disagree with the proposed facilities policy.
The facility does not require sobriety in order to have a bed. If we impose conditions to get help, then the structure is flawed. In a sense, it’s discrimination. Akin to saying that you must be white to ride on the bus, in this case, you must be sober to have to a place to sleep. There is no reason behind either instance.
The motivation to get well is internal; a person who is homeless will develop hope, if they have a bed. People do not get better if they are missing essential needs of survival. A person who is homeless can barely begin to think about seeking help for an addiction or a mental illness when primary actions are directed toward what they will eat and where they will sleep.
We are the problem. It is our inability to consider circumstance beyond our own. A popular solution in this city is to walk away or to view problems from our cars as we drive by quickly. I wish for everyone to think. There is a lot of talk, rhetoric, and protection of special interests out there. The answer for the problem is not easy. It is best that we reflect on our motivation and what we can do in order to create change in our community.
The solution may be as simple as a change in perspective, an open mind, an open heart, or the willingness to consider circumstances beyond our own.
– Dylan Much
