Living on $21,000 a year is intentional poverty | Letter to the Editor

Homeless tents set up close to the 417 near Bank Street in Ottawa. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POOSTMEDIA

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The issues:

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The site is too small.

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Then take over some of the Governor General’s residence grounds. Looking at the GG’s estate from overhead there looks to be plenty of undeveloped acreage available which would lend itself to addressing the concerns of space and security, as well as proximity to the Parliament Hill. I have no idea if this has been considered but, if not, I would like to know why it hasn’t. It is our property, and we pay for its upkeep.

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The building is a heritage piece.

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If it is a heritage piece but it is not suitable in both its size and the scope for its purpose, then tear it down and recycle whatever can be re-used in a new, more efficient, more secure, and more functional design.

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The cost.

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The cost of renovation/construction is only going to go up. There have been too many costly studies and not enough decisions.

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I agree with all the aspects in the article (and previous ones) that have intimated what the design should include to reflect Canadian values: something we can be proud of, strong, secure, understated, environmentally friendly, welcoming, practical, functional and natural – all of which the 24 Sussex buildings and property fail to meet. And for $36M for a house, the words spectacular, on time and on budget should be included. I understand that it is a major expenditure, but it absolutely pales in comparison with the budget supplying the renovations to the Parliament buildings.

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By doing nothing, the current building falls further into disrepair, it remains a hollow pile of stones, and the lack of forward movement on the project makes us look like we can’t decide on or commit to anything.

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As for 24 Sussex, turn it into a park, or a security complex for the Governor General’s / Prime Minister’s grounds, or lease it to another country as an embassy grounds.

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Just get on with it!

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John Pomeroy, Chelsea, QC

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Our government is creating intentional poverty

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I am sickened by the Ontario government’s choice to intentionally inflict poverty on the most vulnerable in our society. This has been going on far too long.

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In Ottawa, a single person with an income of less than $26,000 per year is considered to be living below the poverty line. A single person living on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) in Ottawa has a monthly income as follows:

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Basic needs: $809.00
Shelter: $599.00
Other: $370.00

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That is a total of $1778.00 per month or $21,336 per year. Do any of these numbers sound even remotely reasonable?

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This is not the first time I have written about this issue. I am sure I am not the only person who has noticed the growing homeless population in Ottawa. One look at these numbers gives you a pretty good idea what is behind this growing issue. These are human being like you and me. There will always be a fraction of the population who need support. That will never change, but intentionally offering a life living below the poverty line is cruel and heartless.

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We as a society are better than that.

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Robert Broatch, Ottawa

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