After reading an editorial, an article, and a letter to the editor on managed homeless encampments as well as an opinion piece on the drug crisis in Winnipeg — all featured recently in the Free Press — I’m having trouble understanding city council’s refusal to acknowledge that designated encampments could serve an important transitional purpose, and help address the mental health and drug crisis in our city. Aside from the comment that city resources should be directed to build more houses, and services that managed encampment would require are provincial, the city’s opposition to managed encampments as one way to address our homelessness problem doesn’t make fiscal or societal sense.

As the editorial “Designated encampments worth second look” suggests, it is too bad the idea for authorized homeless encampments that Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) brought forward got no support from the city council, or the province. The editorial points out that managed encampments (as opposed to illegal encampments, which are being cleared) would move the homeless closer to safe place to live, and to the wraparound services provided by the provincial Your Way Home program.

According to an article “Call for managed homeless camp gets rough ride at city hall”, Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, told council the groundwork has been done and it would take little effort to set up a camp; stating $1.5 to $2 million annually for the next three years would be enough to operate a managed encampment. Every dollar invested would generate savings by reducing demands on emergency services including paramedics, police and other public services, she contends, while also identifying two potential sites: near the former boat launch by the Louise bridge, or a vacant industrial land north of Higgins underpass.

Jules Rocque’s letter to the editor “Needs of unhoused are immediate” provided a bridge between the debate between housing and homeless encampments, by stating it is not an either/or choice: build more housing or deal with encampments. Building more housing will take years, and the homeless need a safe place to live now. A managed, supported encampments, as proposed by Willis, will provide a temporary solution for the homeless until housing is available, and transitioning can occur, while also urging the city, province and community agencies to work together to address both the short and the long term needs.

Reading in print is my preferred method for news or novels. Reading on a screen is OK for short periods of time, but is hard on the eyes after a while. Unfortunately, the end has come for the print version of the Community Review. It was a great way to keep all our communities informed of local happenings and offered feel good stories in a time of world despair.

The first issue I need to touch on in this column, hoping that the second time around is the charm: Dugald Road is a major roadway dividing North and South Transcona from each other. It connects Winnipeg to surrounding communities to the east, such as Dugald, Anola, and Oakbank, Man. It is a high speed roadway that handles thousands of vehicles daily. \

When the residents of South Transcona feel like venturing out of the neighbourhood, they do so by driving a motor vehicle, riding a bicycle, or walking. To walk or ride a bike out, we must cross Dugald Road to get to the other side. Lately, it’s been a nightmare, because of construction and increased traffic eastbound. I liken it to the game Crossy Road, where you must look both ways constantly and wait for a slight opening to hurry across. Once across, the only option is to head west on the asphalt path that resembles something out of a horror movie. We don’t have the option to head eastward to Ravenhurst Street, which will allow access to local high schools or friends and family. Anyone who has attempted this risks their lives trying to travel on the two foot wide gravel shoulder. There have been some horrific accidents while attempting this feat.

We have asked our local politicians, the trails association, and developers to help us put in an active transportation path for years. It never happens. I have recently contacted all levels on this very subject and have received two responses out of five. Meanwhile, money is being spent like water on major expensive projects all over the city. Seems as though safety is a non-issue for those of us south of Dugald Road, though it should be at the top of everyone’s list.

As Parliament breaks for the summer, it’s wonderful to be back home in Winnipeg South Centre. Summer is a time to enjoy local festivals, support community organizations, and spend time with family and friends. I am looking forward to seeing many of you as we celebrate everything that makes our community strong, welcoming, and vibrant.

As always, it was a great evening recently at the Corydon Community Centre family barbecue with time spent alongside families while handing out freezies — a tremendous downpour didn’t even manage to halt the fun! It was great to be at the Fort Garry Community Centre Carnival, where the giant bubble machine and petting farm were a big hit with everyone. Over at Riverview, I enjoyed connecting with board members, meeting residents and lending a hand in the kitchen assembling burgers at their Spring Carnival. It was a great evening filled with friendly conversations and plenty of community spirit.

A sincere thank you to the community centre managers, board presidents and members, and the many dedicated volunteers whose countless hours of hard work make these events possible and keep our community centres thriving all year long. Your commitment strengthens our neighbourhoods and brings people together in the very best ways.

Strong communities are built by the dedicated organizations and volunteers who bring people together every day. I am pleased that the federal government is investing in local initiatives through the Canada Summer Jobs program and the new Building Communities Strong Fund. My office reached out to many community organizations across Winnipeg South Centre to encourage them to apply and take advantage of this new funding opportunity. Applications for this fund closed on July 17, however, if your organization has a project that strengthens our community, I encourage you to reach out to my office — we’re always happy to help.