I had to go for two car appointments last week in Victoria, and leave my car in the shop for a few hours.
When we are in our cars, we slip right past the problems without having the emotional impact of being in the middle of it, but I am noticing more and more that when I walk through a Canadian city or a town lately, I feel this experience of poverty, addiction, and mental health issues quite viscerally.The first day, the auto dealership warned me against walking along Government Street to the downtown core. “Take a cab.
“They buy the homeless people hotels, but fail to realize that these people cannot live by any rules. They need to be managed and if it means arresting them first, then so be it. I will need to close my business soon.” The cab driver told me that he no longer answers calls for pickups from various parts of Victoria. “They ruin my car and the smell is horrible.”
Since they purchased a few years ago, walking our grandson around the area keeps us on our toes, navigating streets as safely as possible to avoid difficult encounters. Unfortunately, safety and wellness cost money and guess who has to pay for it? Me. I am OK with that answer only if it means rebuilding the whole scenario. We have to get tough and figure out solid solutions for everyone involved.