No compassion in opposition to mission

I am puzzled by opposition in Vanier to the Salvation Army’s plan to relocate its mission. As a longtime ByWard Market busker, I have seen hundreds of desperate clients waste away in the Rideau/ByWard core.

Having such a concentration of missions in one area is harmful, with drugs, prostitution, crime and mischief rampant. It’s bad for tourism, it’s bad for the market, it’s bad for business, but most of all it is bad for the homeless and the helpless.

While I do understand some level of NIMBYism, I do not understand some Vanier residents’ lack of compassion in this matter.

These people need help, but apparently, there’s no room in this inn. Thomas Brawn, Orléans