Homelessness In Canada

Concerns over the overwhelming number of street deaths in Toronto, on account of homelessness are addressed in this article. According, to the data collected on average 2 homeless deaths happen every week in Toronto. A breakdown of the statics showed that 46 deaths occurred indoors, 4 outside and 20 are unknown.

Sadly, the majority of these deaths were by people under the age of 50, in a country where the average age expectancy for men is 79 and women 84. At the time of publication, 70 deaths had occurred and the news went unannounced by the media.

Are we as a society more concerned with profiting from people’s misfortunes than making them well? Can one readily identify a homeless person by looking at them? How do we account for the homeless? Do we care to know when a homeless person has died? Is it enough for us to offer housing? The majority of us are familiar with that old adage “an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure.” If (Ostroff, J 2015) calculations are correct and we can cure homelessness for an extra $46 a year why aren’t we? What is hindering us from taking action? These are hard questions, to answer when with the harsh reality of homelessness in “the most livable city in the world.”

The path that leads to homelessness is not fully investigated and is often misunderstood.

There are numerous and complex variables that determine the journey to homelessness. Homeless people are the most vulnerable and subject to abuse and attacks from the general population. As seen in the documentary Storied Streets, many people hid their homelessness, because of the stigma and shame associated with it. The preconceived notion that people would prefer to remain homeless fails to examine true reasons behind their decisions; these notions are extremely damaging, to homeless people and those working tirelessly to aid

them.

Rudolf Virchow epithet “Physicians are the natural attorneys of the poor.” Resounds so heavily even, to this day, because they witness firsthand the effects of it. It is imperative that doctors be the ones that advocate for society most vulnerable because.

Dr Gary Bloch @ TEDx Stouffville ( If you want to help me, Prescribe me Money) like many before him, realised that it would be more effective to treat the problem of homelessness, not the symptoms. Moreover, Dr Gary has given us an alternative of how to address the homelessness issue through a holistic health method sponsored by organisations like Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP).

Statistics have shown that indigenous people are 16 times more likely to experience homelessness, than non-Indigenous people. Indigenous people are the most affected because of colonialism and residential schools, which stripped away their culture and identity. If a solid program was in place to connect people with their culture and heritage, it would instill in them a sense of pride. If such a program existed, it could have prevented the death of “ Pierre Gegorie, 28, part of the Innu Nation from Labrador, who died Feb.15 in a KFC bathroom from a suspected fentanyl overdose.” ( Rider, D., The Star, 2017)

Ridding ourselves of discriminatory and exclusionary policies is essential, as these created long standing structural barriers. Neo-liberalism needs to be terminated; because it does not support improvement in population health. Understandably, there are some resistant with Paternalism, but it is clear, that in many instances, it has been proven to be beneficial i.e mandatory seat belts. Implementing a proactive approach can eradicate homelessness. Poverty effects can be mitigated with the referrals to Housing First, from doctors and churches. Nevertheless, preventing homelessness goes beyond receiving money. People need to be made whole physically, spiritually and mentally. Reformation of current programs is required to encourage and support people in sustaining an overall healthy lifestyle. With the right intervention, it is possible for individuals to make better choices and avoid this fate.