And if you believe that I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you.

This statement was made by Rich Coleman.
Also known as damage control... by a very unpopular government.
Disregard.

"This government has no plans to relocate low-income individuals or families into northern communities as a result of the Olympics."
To get proper comprehension of this statement, one must realize the source. As it is a career politician, it is really the opposite. So, in fact this government DOES have plans for visible low income citizens as a result of the Olympics.

With the heavy handed application of security, the closed streets, and restricted access to shops in the vicinity of venues, it is no wonder that the locals are getting upset.

My daughter is on disability due to chrones desease. This is through the human resources office and every once in a while she has to go down there. She says that there are a lot of new people that have have come from the lower mainland. I think that a number should be taken so that we can get to the bottom of the rumours. I am sure that the welfare part of that office knows and I am extremely sure that the government knows. Of course that information will no likely be garded like fort knox at this point. They want to keep that information secrete if they are denying it. What Prince George needs is TO KNOW. I think we have gotten people ..how many is the question.

Why not complete the circle and somehow tattoo the homeless with a code as to where they are from? What is the problem of the loss of another freedom? They are only homeless people.

Why would the govt bother to respond to issues brought up on this site if the best most folk can do is say 'i dont believe you'. Aside from a second hand anecdote about new faces at HR i see no proof or even actual evidence that any forced migration is occurring. Its the same old same old. Political cynycism based on rumour and ill will.
Here are some questions you might want to ask: Just how would the govt go about moving homeless folk up here? Just where exactly ARE these folk and their first hand stories of how they were bribed or railroaded out of the lower mainland? Or how about: given the lack of any real evidence, why are we all hot and bothered over what is, at present anyway, just a load of BS?

Here's the evidence of mass deportation to the Siberia of BC.

http://asqfish.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/muslim_refugees_01.jpg

This comment was e-mailed to us for inclusion:

Re: Housing Minister Responds to Opinion Piece About Homeless – Opinion 250 – October 16, 2009

Under the B.C. Liberals, the province is faced with the worst homelessness situation since the Great Depression. Street homelessness has increased by 364-per-cent under their watch. It’s estimated there are approximately 15,000 homeless people in B.C. today.

While homelessness continues to soar throughout the province, the B.C. Liberals have offered no concrete plan to address the affordable housing crisis or the fact that B.C. has had the worst child poverty rate in the country for the past six years.

When the provincial government made the decision to stop building social housing in 2002, they created a homelessness emergency that affects virtually every community in B.C. today, and they’ve continued to choose strategies that do not increase the stock of housing.

For housing to be adequately addressed both senior levels of government need to be involved in a substantive strategy; however, the province continues to remain silent on the lack of federal action while children and families continue to suffer. It is the responsibility of the government to act in the long term interests of our communities and our economy.



With the Olympics coming, existing housing is at risk of conversion and tenants are under threat of evictions around the city. We’ve already seen some 700 units that have been converted prior to the Olympics. Now it is estimated to be over 1,400 conversions since the Olympics were awarded to Vancouver. As we get closer to 2010, the situation could get worse.



Minister Coleman claims your article on the homeless is based on mere rumours. However, the fact remains that the B.C. government has no clear strategy when it comes to reducing and preventing homelessness and in the end, this reality speaks louder than words.


Shane Simpson, MLA for Vancouver-Hastings and New Democrat Critic for Housing and Social Development.

If it's not true why would Coleman even respond.The truth hurts Richy Richy

He would respond because peoploe believe scandalous rumours which appeal to them. Whats the quote? A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth.
To the editors: I realize you feel you need to be even handed. However, The minister's response was to your own accusation, whereas the letter from Mr Simpson does nothing to address the issue at hand. I see nowhere in his missive any evidence that the homeless are being shipped to PG or anywhere else. Does this mean that if a minister responds to one of your articles on, say air pollution that you will feel obliged to print a letter from the opposition accusing the Liberals of mismanaging the traffic camera issue?

There is so many more problems out there other than the SO CALLED HOMELESS, our schools our health care ect. I am sick of hearing about the SO CALLED HOMELESS, you make your bed you have to sleep in it.

Anything coming out of the mouth of a liberal member of the legislature is subject to disbelief. Only a few months ago Gordo went on record as saying the budget deficit would not exceed 500 million. We all know what happened there. And then there is the HST fairly tale.

Anything coming out of anyones mouth is subject to scrutiny. Disbelief without evidence is poison in rational debate. Get evidence or refrain from suggesting someone is a liar. Can you say libel?

On this board, apparently, Gordo (and the Liberals) are fair game. You can say just about anything you want about him (true or not), and many people have.

While its true thats what has been happening, it doesnt mean it is a good thing. Nobody wants our province governed based on rumours and unsupported accusations. It is disingenuous to disguise partisan sniping as legitimate political debate. If you want to talk issues, thats great. If you want to spout rhetoric and fling insults, thats not useful.
Many people claim they want govt to act like adults. To govern rationally rather than parrot party policy and positions. They want civility in the legislatiure. Then they do just the opposite when they contribute to online boards.
Another pet peave of mine is the use of monikers like 'Gordo'. It shows disrespect, period. If you want the govt. to show you respect you have to give in order to get. It isnt really relevant to point out where, in your opinion the gov. has disrespected you. Right or wrong, reacting to past slights in a petty manner does not encourage respect in dealings in the future. I know in my own case, you had better be my friend before you call me Gordo (if gordon were my name) otherwise i would be annoyed, and therefor less likely to listen to what you have to say. Manners are manners. I recently talked to someone who pined for the old time politicians like diefenbaker ( I think it was he) who used to be a man of the people and actually took mass transit to work. Politicians cant do that today. Not that they are targets for assassination, its just that public decorum has sunk to such depths that they would be assaulted (verbally at least) by ill mannered louts.