With only days until the legislature rises and MPPs return to their ridings for the holidays, the Ford government is promising to introduce new legislation to dismantle homeless encampments in towns and cities across Ontario.
In a letter published Thursday morning, Ontario Premier Doug Ford outlined his plan to a group of 12 mayors who had asked him to use the notwithstanding clause to break up encampments.
“We are acting to put an end to the public disorder, drug use and trafficking and loss of public space that have resulted from the widespread growth in encampments,” the premier wrote.
“These are serious problems that are impacting communities across Ontario, with people rightly demanding action. Enough is enough.”
The planned legislation, which has only four days to pass if the government wants it in place before Christmas, has not been made public yet but will be led by the Ministry of …