Arin G.

My name is Arin, I use they/them pronouns, and I'm in grade 12 at Ancaster High School. I am passionate about human rights, equity, and justice for all.

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

(1/6)If a city should be able to evict people living in tent encampments is a complex issue. The by-law NO. 05-099 states that the city “is authorized to remove… any unauthorized… encroachment from any park by any means”. #OJENROEJSP22 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw

[OJEN / ROEJ @OJEN_ROEJ]

Thank you once again to all the participants in #OJENROEJSP22. We are always blown away by your discussions. Until next time!

[OJEN / ROEJ @OJEN_ROEJ]

MOST PERSUASIVE: Ancaster Secondary School

We're impressed by @arin_g_law's thorough research and arguments. Well done! #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@OJEN_ROEJ Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I apologize for the late response, I’ve been recovering from surgery. I’m feeling good and getting back on my feet, and I am so grateful for the kind praise and the title of posting the most persuasive tweet.

[Griffins Law @griffinslaw22]

#OJENROEJSP22 @OJEN_ROEJ

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@sdcilaw Exactly. Evicting these people without a long-term plan or somewhere else for them to go just creates a different problem, and doesn’t address the root of the issue. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@greengoldfirm @adepew5183 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw These are quite viable options! There have also been reports this year that the Ontario government failed to supply a vast sum of money to support social programs. I don’t have resources for this at this moment, but it certainly plays a part here. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

(1/6)If a city should be able to evict people living in tent encampments is a complex issue. The by-law NO. 05-099 states that the city “is authorized to remove… any unauthorized… encroachment from any park by any means”. #OJENROEJSP22 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@hannahhthompso1 @greengoldfirm @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw Would that not also mean that these people have equal rights to proper housing in safe and livable shelters, or government-provided homes? Could you provide a source for this? #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@greengoldfirm @adepew5183 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw I agree with this fact, only evicting these people with no further action would only cause harm. However, leaving the encampments as they are is not a long term solution either. What long-term solutions would you propose? #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@hannahhthompso1 @griffinslaw22 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw The government has failed to provide safe and helpful facilities for the homeless, which is why they are camping in public places. How can we say that these shelters are doing their job? #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@griffinslaw22 @OJEN_ROEJ I agree. All citizens of Hamilton deserve housing and support from the community, not to be shunned by the majority and left to fend for themselves. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@hannahhthompso1 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw Perhaps not within the Charter, but Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family”. This is defined as a basic human right. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@Emilia02095 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw It might be justified under the law to evict these people, but is it justified morally? Is it justified to violate these people’s rights? Where would you expect them to go after they are evicted? #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@adepew5183 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw The city of Hamilton has an obligation to ALL of its citizens, so they should be providing safe homeless shelters so that those in encampments have somewhere other to live than in a tent.

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@adepew5183 @OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw The city is justified in protecting the other citizens, but it should not be at the cost of those in need. Removing homeless people from camps when they have nowhere else to go puts them in greater danger than those who have proper housing. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@Musheerah13 @OJEN_ROEJ I agree with this statement. especially during Covid, the homeless shelters that are available have becoming a breeding ground for disease. It is not an alternative. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw (6/6)This precedent demonstrates that this issue should be reconsidered and develop a better solution for homeless people who have no other option than to camp in public places. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw (5/6)The Charter doesn’t mention shelter as a right, but section 7 was applied to a similar situation in British Columbia. In Johnston v. Victoria the British Columbia Court of Appeal held that removing homeless people from encampments violates s. 7 of the Charter. #OJENROEJSP22

[Arin G. @arin_g_law]

@OJEN_ROEJ @ProvostLaw (3/6)Depriving these people of a “home” endangers their right to security of person. They should only be able to be evicted if they are provided with a safe alternative that aligns with their rights. #OJENROEJSP22