Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he would give police and judges more power to dismantle tent cities.
Poilievre says a Conservative government would amend the Criminal Code to allow police to charge people when they violate the right to be safe in public spaces.
He also says he would clarify the law so that police can take down illegal encampments and connect those living in them with housing and mental health treatment.
The Conservatives say tent encampments across Canada have become centres of crime, drug abuse and violence, and they would adopt a housing-first approach to help people get off the streets and into housing.
Poilievre already has promised to shut down safe supply sites and give judges the power to order mandatory drug treatment for those struggling with addiction.
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The Conservative leader made the announcement Wednesday morning in Hamilton, Ont., as the party celebrates a recent endorsement by the Toronto Police Association.
The Liberal platform includes a promise to “make it harder to get bail for those charged with violent car theft, car theft for a criminal organization, home invasion, and certain human trafficking and smuggling offences by establishing a reverse onus for these crimes,” among other promises.
The party has committed to developing homelessness reduction targets in collaboration with the provinces and territories. It has promised a “housing first” investment strategy to end homelessness. The Liberals have also vowed to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement by five per cent.
“It’s a typical American-style approach to an issue which Pierre Poilievre has imported, which is, ‘There’s a problem, I will arrest people, I will criminalize it,’ as opposed to addressing the underlying challenges,” Liberal Leader Mark Carney told reporters in Victoria when asked about Poilievre’s proposal.
He also pointed out the Conservative platform does not mention mental health care, as opposed to the Liberals’ plan.
The NDP has promised to create an $8 billion Communities First Fund, which will help provinces and territories expand housing infrastructure.
The NDP have also promised to double the Canada Disability Benefit and increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
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