EDITORIAL: Tent up Canada, support our nation’s unhoused people

Home is where the heart is, but the hearts of various Canadian governments seem to be rather cold in supporting our homeless population.

Homelessness, a plight that can affect any person, has been increasingly affecting Canadians more than ever.

Homeless Hub, a Canadian research group monitoring homeless persons, reported at least 35,000 Canadians experience homelessness on any given night.

Toronto, which recorded 110 deaths of homeless people in 2022, said it provides “more than 7,000 emergency and transitional shelter beds in 63 locations and through motel programs mostly used by families.”

That is not enough.

Our homeless population is growing exponentially. The Homeless Hub said 7,000 is the minimum number of homeless persons at any given time in Toronto.

But things should be done in the short term to alleviate the plight of the unhoused. In 2017, the Canadian military set up a tent city in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., to support refugees fleeing the U.S. after Donald Trump was elected president.

The Canadian military set up 75 tents equipped with floors, lighting, and heating.

The Canadian government and military care for and support those who flee their countries, but we seem to be lacking in caring for Canadians in need.

City authorities in Ottawa already used military tents in November last year. It is something that could be replicated in Toronto.

The Department of National Defence said its funding estimate for 2024 is $26.5 billion.

“The Department of National Defence (DND) is the second largest department within the federal government in terms of budget and the largest in terms of size,” according to the Canadian government.

Weatherhaven, a provider of military products to the Canadian military, said its shelter systems can rapidly deploy in extreme climates, have environment control units, and are very adaptable.

The Canadian government said these shelters were purchased as a part of its Headquarters Shelter System Project (HSSP).

The HSSP launched in 2012, and the Canadian government said it continues. The project entails an initial contract for purchasing three sizes of tactical shelters.

“The initial contract for purchasing the equipment is about

$154 million and will cover five years to 2022,” the government said.

With a budget of this size with access to shelter systems, it is entirely within the military’s capability to support the housing of homeless Canadians.

Everyone deserves a place to call their own, even if it is shared. Everyone deserves comfort from long winter nights and a bed to rest in.

Canadians are known for their kindness, community support, and a “we” mentality.

Justin Trudeau gave a speech praising Canadian values in 2022.

“While we can’t change history, we can put in the work to build a better future,” he said.

“One that reflects our values of hope, resilience, kindness, respect, and generosity.”

Those values expressed by Trudeau are not reflected in the work governments have done to support the general homeless population.

Canada should use its military resources to support Canadians needing temporary housing.