The Tough Issue of Homelessness

Many local governments are faced with tough decisions relating to people living in places not generally intended or safe for human habitation on public and private land in their communities and the enforcement of their bylaws. People living in such circumstances are often homeless. The issue of homelessness requires local governments to balance interests and to consider matters such as health and safety concerns and rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This paper will discuss recent cases in this area and the complexity of the law surrounding the issue as it relates to local governments and the enforcement of their bylaws.

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