Challenging the Safe Streets Act Posted onJune 26, 2017June 22, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP By: Nicolas Di Nardo A law created in 1999 known as the Safe Streets Act is being challenged by the Fair Change Community Legal Clinic on the basis that it discriminates against people with mental health and addiction issues. Leading this dispute is Gerry Williams, along with the Fair Change Community Legal Clinic. Williams shares his experiences of being homeless and the amount of fines he was given over 9 years while trying to survive. Since then, he has overcome homelessness, has a job and a place to live. Gerry suffered from alcoholism and undiagnosed mental health issues, but is a very different person today. Before he was able to get the help he needed to thrive, he suffered. He managed to be handed $65,000 in fines over 9 years ago while homeless, all of which were given to him through provincial offences and convictions. These included: Loitering Littering Drinking in public Trespassing Gerry determined that approximately $10,000 worth of his tickets were issued through the Safe Streets Act while he was panhandling to survive. This law was intended to limit the aggressive behaviour brought on by people asking for money on the street, which also included squeegeeing. Williams is now part of a constitutional challenge to the Act, which was filed by the legal clinic last Wednesday. Fair Change has spoken up about the issues with this law, stating it is: Impacting people with mental health and addiction issues Costing the public $2 million in court fees and paperwork Fines under the act will likely never be paid Ruined credit scores, limiting opportunity for housing, drivers license, or work after being convicted under the Act Hurts people that are already vulnerable Increases homelessness Poverty remains the most pressing human rights issue in Canada, however, Joanna Nefs says the law is not doing anything to help fix that. Laws that are criminalizing people in poverty does not line up with the goal to end poverty, or the Human Rights Code, which Renu Mandhane, chief Commissioner for the Ontario Human Rights Commission is making reference to the Safe Streets Act as one of those laws. Fair Change is looking for the law to be repealed rather than fighting it, and this is not the first time. MPP Cheri DiNovo tabled private members’ bills in 2015 and 2016 for the Act to be repealed. Please check back to our blog for more update and developments to this story. Devry Smith Frank LLP is a full service law firm located in Don Mills. If you require representation or have any questions, please contact Devry Smith Frank LLP today. You may contact one of the many experienced lawyers on our website or call us directly at 416-449-1400. “This article is intended to inform and entertain. Its content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon by readers as such. If you require legal assistance, please see a lawyer. Each case is unique and a lawyer with good training and sound judgment can provide you with advice tailored to your specific situation and needs.” Related Posts Posted onJuly 23, 2019September 30, 2020/ Marty Rabinovitch Denied a Job Due to Lack of Canadian Work Eligibility? You May Have Been Discriminated Against If you have recently been denied a job due to a lack of proof of permanent eligibility to work in Canada, you may be entitled to compensation under Ontario human rights law. In a decision last year from the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, Haseeb v Imperial Oil Limited 2018 HRTO 957, an employer (Imperial Oil) refused to [...] Read more Posted onJune 26, 2017June 22, 2020/ Devry Smith Frank LLP Requiring Customers to Come to Stores Has Been Deemed Discriminatory By: Michelle Cook, Summer Law Student Could companies that require their customers to come into their physical stores be guilty of discrimination? A human rights adjudicator seems to think so. In Mills v Bell Mobility Inc, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal member Edward Lustig awarded $10,000 plus interest in compensation for Ms. Mills’ pain and suffering [...] Read more