Coalition of Davenport Community
We are concerned residents and business owners of Davenport that believe the safety and well-being of our community is essential in building a prosperous and livable environment for all.
The location of this shelter is alarming and lacks common sense. It sits beside a public library which includes an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and is less than 100 meters from Loretto College School (an all girls’ Catholic school). In fact, there are six schools in total within close proximity of this shelter. Across the street, a methadone clinic already contributes to crime and safety issues in the area.
The City of Toronto’s Harm Reduction policy will permit the operator of this shelter to supply drug users with needles and crack pipes within the shelter. We believe this will create a de facto consumption site where drug users will consume inside the shelter or use the supplied paraphernalia outside of it. In our opinion, the City's harm reduction policy at this shelter will lead to an increase in visible drug activity on our sidewalks, parks and laneways.
The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act and the Community Care and Recovery Act is Ontario legislation passed in late 2024 to enhance public safety and support addiction recovery. The Community Care and Recovery Act (Schedule 4) is a specific schedule within it that restricts supervised consumption sites from operating within 200 meters of schools or childcare centres. The Province must ensure these harm reduction facilities are compliant with the legislation and are not operating as de facto consumption sites within 200 meters of schools and daycares.
The lack of transparency is also disturbing as City staff decided to purchase a building for millions of dollars and didn't ask for any input from the community and, apparently, from the Davenport councillor, Alejandra Bravo, as well.
In conclusion, there are serious questions about how our elected and unelected City officials selected 1615 Dufferin Street. We call for the relocation of the proposed shelter.
Our community is asking for fairness and common sense.
The location of this shelter is alarming and lacks common sense. It sits beside a public library which includes an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and is less than 100 meters from Loretto College School (an all girls’ Catholic school). In fact, there are six schools in total within close proximity of this shelter. Across the street, a methadone clinic already contributes to crime and safety issues in the area.
The City of Toronto’s Harm Reduction policy will permit the operator of this shelter to supply drug users with needles and crack pipes within the shelter. We believe this will create a de facto consumption site where drug users will consume inside the shelter or use the supplied paraphernalia outside of it. In our opinion, the City's harm reduction policy at this shelter will lead to an increase in visible drug activity on our sidewalks, parks and laneways.
The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act and the Community Care and Recovery Act is Ontario legislation passed in late 2024 to enhance public safety and support addiction recovery. The Community Care and Recovery Act (Schedule 4) is a specific schedule within it that restricts supervised consumption sites from operating within 200 meters of schools or childcare centres. The Province must ensure these harm reduction facilities are compliant with the legislation and are not operating as de facto consumption sites within 200 meters of schools and daycares.
The lack of transparency is also disturbing as City staff decided to purchase a building for millions of dollars and didn't ask for any input from the community and, apparently, from the Davenport councillor, Alejandra Bravo, as well.
In conclusion, there are serious questions about how our elected and unelected City officials selected 1615 Dufferin Street. We call for the relocation of the proposed shelter.
Our community is asking for fairness and common sense.