Benedict Feist speaks at North Battleford council Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Help for the homeless

Supporters say downtown benches should be for everyone, including most vulnerable

Jun 11, 2019 | 10:18 AM

Advocates are inviting the most vulnerable to come, sit and be welcome – on a bench in downtown North Battleford.

While the issue is not before council, some members of the community spoke up at Monday’s meeting, after hearing several businesses were opposed to the benches on 101 St., and wanted to see them removed. The merchants said the benches attracted people with addictions issues and posed a threat to public safety.

North Battleford attorney and resident Benedict Feist and The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords co-manager Tracey Reimer gave presentations in support of the benches.

Feist said as a concerned citizen he questioned the concept of “regulating public spaces.”

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“I think it’s important to speak about these issues as a citizen,” Feist added, saying he is passionate about the matter of protecting the most vulnerable.

He raised the issue of Indigenous people living in poverty in the area, marked by decades of inaction from provincial and federal levels of government to provide adequate support.

He advocated for good public policy that “avoids criminalizing vulnerable people,” and encouraged people to “treat everyone in our community like we would want to be treated ourselves.”

Reimer had similar concerns about any notion by businesses to remove the benches downtown in an effort to remove or displace a societal issue.

Reimer said while she understands the challenges of business people, she said life is also challenging for homeless people and those living in poverty.

The advocate said everyone has different characteristics, but stressed: “We all share the downtown, and we should all share the benches.”

Reimer said downtown business owners deserve respect, and she doesn’t question that, “but so do those that sit and visit on the benches.”

Following the meeting, Mayor Ryan Bater said the city made the decision to install benches downtown years ago when it adopted the downtown master plan.

While Feist and Reimer expressed their concern that the city might remove the benches downtown, Bater said that isn’t the case. He said no one has officially come to council to request the benches be removed.

When it comes to the matter of dealing with poverty, Bater said it’s a complex issue. He said he appreciates people coming to council to discuss their concerns openly as part of the diplomatic process.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow