Growing number of homeless people in Canada have emerged as one of major issues for policy makers of Canada. People are raising questions about the management and government policies that are responsible for growing number of homeless people. The issue has been a major issue of concern for the government of Canada as it affects more than a few aspects of the Canadian society as well as national interests. This paper intends to discuss the issue of homeless people in Canada and further, intends to examine whether the Canadian government should help homeless people?
Toronto report card on housing and homelessness suggests that a large number of Canadians are compelled to spend their nights under the open sky. The number of homeless people is growing year by year and government’s claim to provide a roof to everybody is merely a deception. Communities, along with the government, are striving to solve the issue of homeless people as it is necessary in order to make a better society. Various sections of the government, as well as the society, have raised voices to provide affordable low cost houses to these people at the expenses of government. It is not tolerable for a civilized society that some people of the same society are compelled to spend nights on roads, footpaths irrespective of weather conditions. (Daiski, 2007). Economic action plan 2013 deals with this issue in a serious manner that provides a huge economic assistance to the homeless people and helps them in making their own houses.
There are several other aspects of this problem apart from being a social issue. Homeless youngsters create threat to the law and order as well as to the society. Various instances of economic, physical and sexual crimes are taking place, and homeless youngsters are found to be involved in these crimes (Gaetz, 2010). These youngsters are involved in various crimes while kids and females play a major role in sex related crimes. Sex trafficking, child labor and trade of human limbs are also being reported that are directly related to these homeless people in the Canadian society. These people keep challenging rules of the society and have emerged as a major challenge before the law implementing authorities. Canadian people and society can not ignore this aspect and serious steps are required in order to solve this problem (Gaetz S. , 2004). As a society and responsible people, it becomes our duty to provide houses to those who cannot afford to own but need it like other human beings.
Homeless People are a major challenge for the idea of welfare state. These people spend their life in a sporadic state and face a series of problems. Malnutrition, health, and various illnesses are very common in these people. They suffer from several medical problems and lack even basic medical facilities. Malnutrition is very common among homeless people that create several other medical problems. Homeless people fail to get medical assistance in case of any medical urgency. These homeless people develop a feeling of being ignored, and their feeling may turn dangerous for the social structure of the society (Reutter et al., 2009). This is the duty of a welfare state to provide basic amenities to the people who can not afford these facilities at their own. When a state fails to fulfill its duties, it becomes difficult for the state to manage different aspects of the society. A welfare state is expected to look after every segment of the society and failing in doing so affects the image of a welfare state as well as its interests in a great manner (Gaetz et al., 2006 ).
Having observed the above mentioned analysis of the subject, it becomes clear that this issue is very significant and requires immediate government attention. There are several people who believe that government should not bear the expenses for the homes of homeless people. They say that why the government should pay taxpayers money on those who do not work and take care of their basic facilities. On the other hand, there are several people who say that it is unfortunate that there are people who are still living without homes. Canadian government and policy makers cannot afford to ignore the issue of homeless people in order to make a better society. This issue is not only necessary for the needy homeless people, but this becomes very significant as it affects the society in a broad perspective. This problem is related to various aspects of the society and affects the social structure of the Canadian society. The number of homeless people is growing continuously in the Canada and this issue can not be ignored anymore by the government. There is no other solution of the issue of homelessness except to helping homeless people of Canada and in order to make a better society. Seeing several aspects of the issue, it can be concluded that the Canadian government should help homeless people of the Canadian society.
References
Daiski, I. (2007). Perspectives of homeless people on their health and health needs priorities. Journal of Advanced Nursing , 273–281.
Gaetz, S. (2004). Safe Streets for Whom? Homeless Youth, Social Exclusion, and Criminal Victimization. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 46(4) , 423-456.
Gaetz, S. (2010). The struggle to end homelessness in Canada: How we created the crisis, and how we can end it. The Open Health Services and Policy Journal , 423-455.
Gaetz, Stephen, V. Tarasuk, N. Dachner & S. Kirkpatrick. (2006 ). Managing' homeless youth in Toronto: Mismanaging food access and nutritional well-being. Canadian Review of Social Policy, 58 , 43-61.
L. I. Reutter, M. J. Stewart, G. Veenstra, R. Love, D. Raphael & E. Makwarimba. (2009). Who Do They Think We Are, Anyway?”: Perceptions of and Responses to Poverty Stigma. Quality Health Research , 297-311.
