Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 27 October 2014 17:00
Vernon's mayor is taking the area's M-P to task for some comments he made at a recent ceremony. Rob Sawatzky is upset about a remark Colin Mayes apparently made at the event to mark the new memorial to homeless people in Polson Park earlier this month. "He said that homelessness is not a government issue. That is appalling. It is wrong, and it is an abdication of clear senior government responsibility," Sawatzky told Kiss FM. Sawatzky says if Mayes truly believes that government has no role, it might be appropriate for him to resign. "For Mr. Mayes to state that this was not a government issue, is, at best, disturbing," says Sawatzky. Mayes has not had a chance to respond to the mayor's comments as yet. "I don't know how he could possible defend it. His defence was 'We should handle this with faith and with churches.' And that is the policy that was used in the Middle Ages," says Sawatzky.
In a statement Mayes says his comments are being misinterpreted. "My comment was it's not government's fault there is homelessness. They (homeless) have come into homeless issues because of disabilities or addictions," he said, adding that the federal government has invested in programs that assist the homeless.He adds, "the solutions are not found only in providing homes, this is a humanitarian response not a government program response. Government can partner with communities, but money will not fix the problem caring people will fix this problem."He added "Providing housing for every homeless person is not the solution to the reason they are homeless or why those we were remembering passed away."
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Vernon mayor rips into MP
by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Oct 27, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Vernon's mayor has blasted the local MP. Rob Sawatzky used Monday's city council meeting to blast Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes over comments he made at the recent unveiling of a homeless memorial in Polson Park. "For Mr. Mayes to state that this was not a government issue is, at best, disturbing, saiid Sawatzky, adding that homelessness does fall under Ottawa's responsibilities. "He is abdicating his responsibility with his stated position." However, Mayes insists his comments are being misinterpreted. "My comment was it's not government's fault there is homelessness. They (homeless) have come into homeless issues because of disabilities or addictions," he said, adding that the federal government has invested in programs that assist the homeless. Look for more in Wednesday's Morning Star.
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