Editor:
What a smug, ultimately mean-spirited response to our homelessness crisis from Mayor Bruce Milne in his recent email, quoted in Coast Reporter (“St. Hilda’s extends shelter stay,” Dec. 1). It is just full of pious platitudes about shared concerns with the community, pompous philosophizing about who is responsible for this emergency, the need to examine the root causes of homelessness, and what it is really necessary to do.
Cynically, he gives us patronizing instructions to learn the names of cabinet ministers (he helpfully supplies them) and go to them for help. Hypocritically, he does not remind us that this council is already turning away significant financial support from BC Housing and RainCity for our community’s need.
Milne is “satisfied that Sechelt is doing its part.” What exactly does he mean? The community as a whole? The heroic, stretched to the upmost St. Hilda’s, hanging on till Jan. 15? It’s clear now there will be no new homeless shelter in Sechelt. Rev. Li asks whether the lives of people who happen to be homeless are worth saving. Unbelievably, it appears our council is saying no.
Gene Errington, Sechelt
