At the height of the covid-19 pandemic, emergency shelters were established in the Mount Pleasant and Eglinton area including many within only a few metres of schools. As the schools were closed, this was a reasonable action at the time. Now that we have entered phase 3 of opening in Ontario and schools are set to resume in September, it is time to reassess the location of the emergency shelters.

Since their establishment a few months ago, there have been multiple assaults including stabbings in the surrounding areas. There are several reports of drug dealers in the immediate vicinity of schools, when previously there were none.

There has been a marked increase in dirty syringes and drug use on school properties including daycares, grade schools, middle schools, and high schools are within 100 meters of the shelter.

It is unacceptable to put children at risk of needlestick injuries exposing them to harmful pathogens such as hepatitis and HIV.

With the state of emergency over, bylaws governing the placement of shelters are back in full effect and must be enforced for the safety of the students and the staff in the surrounding daycare centres, grade schools, middle schools, and high schools.

We ask you to sign the petition and stand in support of safe and drug-free schools.