SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING
Hayley Stone, of Stuart Olson Inc., and fellow staff and family handed out 1,500 pairs of socks at the Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre as well as serving meals on Thanksgiving Monday. Advocates say the civic election campaign has failed to address poverty.
Advocates for the homeless and working poor say civic election candidates need to talk more about poverty and the lack of affordable housing in a city still struggling in an economic downturn.
As nearly 3,500 people sat down for a Thanksgiving meal at the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre Monday, staff, volunteers and clients said this fall’s civic election needs to be about more than just personalities and a new Flames arena.
“It has become a campaign that is not about issues,” said Gareth Luke, owner of Luke’s Drug Mart, which sponsored the Thanksgiving holiday meal.
“When you look around and you see what we’re facing in this city when it comes to poverty, it really has nothing to do with an arena. Housing is very expensive, cost of living is also expensive. And if you lose your job, it’s really tough to find another one. It’s almost like you have to leave the city, and that’s really a shame.”
As the civic election heads into its final week of campaigning, polling has indicated a two-way race between mayoral front-runners Naheed Nenshi and Bill Smith.
Verbal sparring between them has erupted throughout the campaign, from whether taxpayers should fund a new arena for the Calgary Flames to who is a more likable or experienced candidate.
But social advocates and the working poor say their issues have not been a priority.
David LeMay, CEO with Stuart Olson Inc., which was handing out clean, warm socks, added while he understands poverty as an election issue is never a “hot-button topic,” it’s still really important for candidates to discuss it.
“I understand the arena is a big issue, it would be a big investment for the city. But unfortunately it overshadows a core issue like poverty,” said LeMay, who brought his whole family to spend Thanksgiving with drop-in clients.
“There are far too many homeless in this city, coming here looking for a meal, when really all they want is a job. People keep talking about things getting better in this city, but I’m not sure anyone here would agree.”
Stuart Olson Inc. has provided thousands of socks to Calgary’s homeless and working poor over the last three years, handing out 1,500 Monday to mark Canada 150.
Jordan Hamilton, manager external relations with the centre, said candidates have missed an opportunity to talk about affordable housing and how a municipal government might make it easier to access.
“I would like to hear any of the candidates talk more about affordable housing,” Hamilton said.
“Over 50 per cent of our clients are working, but they cannot make ends meet, they cannot access housing. And our city can do more to address affordability.”
Hamilton pointed to last week’s release of the Calgary Foundation’s Vital Signs survey, which showed 78 per cent of Calgarians are concerned about the level of poverty in our city, while 61 per cent rate housing affordability as below average or poor.
Jan Blanshard, who has been living at the centre for more than a year, said she can’t find housing that is affordable simply because she can work.
“If I had a bunch of other issues, like addiction or mental health, they would be able to place me. But because I’m working, in construction clean up, and I work hard, no one can seem to help me.
“Why doesn’t the election talk about that? Why don’t they talk about the fact there is no affordable housing and they’re doing nothing to create more?”
Calgarians head to the polls Monday. Voting begins at 10 a.m., with stations closing at 8 p.m.
For more information on when and where to vote, go to calgary. ca/election.
There are far too many homeless in this city, coming here looking for a meal, when really all they want is a job.