Hearing in lawsuit over Regina’s funding of the homeless postponed
Activist Florence Stratton and attorney Dan LeBlanc said the city’s omission of funding for the homeless was “bad for democracy” after a council vote on the issue.
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Dan LeBlanc says he’s passionate about the “homeless problem,” and thinks his other colleagues on Regina’s city council are as well.
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But District 6 lawmakers, his colleagues, and everyone else said the judge thought the city of Regina’s administration would not include funds to address the issue as an item in the proposed 2023 budget. I’ll have to wait a little longer to hear
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The matter was briefly raised in the king’s court on Tuesday, with a trial scheduled for December 13.
Acting in his capacity as an attorney, LeBlanc acted on behalf of Regina activist Florence Stratton and fellow City Councilman Andrew Stevens (Third Ward) in what is known as the first petition for the mayor. is causing Niki Anderson. The petition seeks an order for city managers to include funds to end homelessness as an item in the city’s proposed budget.
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Leblanc told reporters out of court that omission of funding was “bad for democracy.”
“The council gave instructions on what the staff should do. The staff explicitly refused to include that money in the budget,” he claims.
At issue is a motion passed unanimously by Congress in June 2022, directing the city government to include it in the proposed budget. This funding draft is distinct in its own terms. “
When asked if the lawsuit had the support of his council colleagues, LeBlanc said he didn’t know for sure.
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“I don’t think they’re impressed that the mayor hasn’t done what they voted for, but I don’t know right away and I haven’t heard of anyone other than Mayor (Sandra) Masters. Please speak up publicly against this action. “
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At a press conference last week, Masters said he had not mandated what the government would recommend in its proposed budget, which would then be discussed in Congress. She spoke of the first motion.
Asked about criticism of the lawsuit, LeBlanc said he felt the situation was strange.
“It’s more amazing to see people upset about lawsuits than our neighbors freezing to death on the streets.
“Now is not the time for goodwill, it is the time for justice.”
A veteran urban activist, Stratton somewhat agreed with Leblanc on issues concerning democracy. “Citizens need to stand up,” she told reporters outside the courtroom.
“We can lose our democracy. We’ve seen it happen elsewhere.”
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When a cold wind blew through the courthouse steps on Tuesday, she sued on behalf of the homeless who were forced to endure Regina’s often bitterly cold winters.
She criticized the city’s initiative to provide “warming-up baths” for the homeless and questioned where those who use them would find toilet facilities.
“Homeless people need homes,” she said.
She said it’s time for the city to “do a little bit” rather than “endless planning” and hopes legal action will help with that.
Speaking personally, not as mayor, about last week’s lawsuit, Masters characterized it as having a “sexist tone” — a sentiment Stratton already calls “ridiculous.” .
— Using files from Alec Salloum
bharder@postmedia.com
Hearing in lawsuit over Regina’s funding of the homeless postponed
Source link Hearing in lawsuit over Regina’s funding of the homeless postponed