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Tent City Eviction |
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September 24, 2002
Councillor
Jack Layton Outraged at Toronto
- Jack Layton (Ward 30 – Toronto Danforth) expressed outrage upon
learning that the residents of the Tent City site on Lake Shore Boulevard
East and Cherry Street in Toronto’s Portlands were evicted today by Home
Depot amid heavy police presence. Home
Depot had been, until recently, working closely with the City of Toronto
and local service providers to find appropriate accommodations for those
living on the site. Inexplicably
those discussions were ended and without warning Home Depot moved to evict
residents, some of whom have been living on the site for several years. Councillor
Layton commented that “some of the residents have been living on the
site, even prior to Home Depot’s acquisition of it”.
He went on to say that while Home Depot had earlier expressed
concern for the welfare of residents of the Tent City site, their current
actions suggest otherwise. Councillor
Layton has joined the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) in
demanding that the Mayor’s Office intervene to allow evicted residents
who are currently being held off the site to enter their homes to retrieve
their personal belongings. In
addition a demand is being made that a 7 day moratorium be placed on the
impending demolition of these homes until a more satisfactory solution can
be found. Finally, Councillor
Layton is demanding that the city step in to find suitable accommodations
and services for the displaced residents. -30- |