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TDRC letter to Phil Brown, Manager of Shelter, Housing and Support for the City of Toronto |
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January 20, 2003 Mr. Phil Brown, General Manager Fax: 416-392-0548 Re: TDRC requests a team of experts to enter the hostel system to investigate conditions Dear Mr. Brown: We are writing to request that a team of independent investigators be assembled to inspect the City of Toronto’s hostel system including the Out of the Cold Program. The team would investigate conditions in the hostels by interviewing hostel users, hostel workers, outreach workers and experts qualified to provide professional opinions on what they witness. Our request is consistent with our belief that the current situation in the hostel system is unacceptable in the context of human rights and is inconsistent with the provision of basic health standards. Adding 80 new mats into the existing system exacerbates the crowding and consequent health hazards. At present over 60 organizations have called for the opening of a new 200-bed shelter. To date you have refused to comply. It is our belief that City Council and Toronto’s citizenry have not been properly informed of the conditions present in the hostel system. The team of investigators should include health professionals such as doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists. In particular they might refer to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees Handbook (paragraphs 71, 72, 77, 78, 86 sec. 1, and 93 sec. 1). The UNHCR Handbook is available at www.unhcr.ch . Please contact us as soon as possible since we have a number of people qualified to conduct a proper scientific and humane investigation. Yours truly, Beric German cc. Mayor Mel Lastman, Councillor Olivia Chow For
more information, contact tdrc@tdrc.net |