Piccini responds to Bill 6 protesters
Protesters gathered outside MPP David Piccini’s office Thursday, opposed to Bill 6. Piccini says the legislation is about making parks safe for everyone’s use. Photo by: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FN News, Local Journalism Initiative.
MPP David Piccini is pushing back against protesters opposed to Bill 6, the Safer Municipalities Act. Approximately 35 people gathered at Piccini’s Port Hope office Thursday, rallying against the legislation claiming it will criminalize homelessness.
However Piccini said the intent of the Bill is to ensure illegal substance use does not occur in a public setting, making that area safe for all users.
“What about the right of seniors to hold hands in a park and feel safe? What about the right of children to play in a park and not fall and stick their arm in a syringe or a needle? Who knows what that could do,” asked Piccini.
Piccini said while the Ford government is taking a tough stance on illegal drug use, investments into harm reduction and youth programs are taking place. Opponents want the legislation scrapped. Bill 6 could pass the legislature this week.
“We have a few activists in our community who just want to normalize drug use. They’ve worn tee-shirts at events that have said as much. They are quite frankly destroying our community,” Piccini said.
The proposed legislation, currently at Second Reading aims to prohibit the consumption of illegal substances in a public place.
Encampment Justice Coalition Missy McLean said Thursday the legislation will further marginalize vulnerable people.
“It further criminalizes them [marginalized people], rather than offering them anything to address the root issues of what they’re experiencing,” she explained.
McLean is calling on the province to invest more into affordable housing, and increased social service programs, which McLean states would combat homelessness.
Law enforcement are given broad discretion in how they resolve potential infractions. “The person may be directed to cease consuming the illegal substance in the public place. The person may be directed to leave the public place. Finally, the person may be directed to provide their full name, date of birth and address. The officer may also seize, remove and destroy substances they reasonably believe to be illegal substances. Seized substances may be submitted for analysis by designated analysts,” the legislation said.
