A community group in Toronto is taking legal action against the City and a local councillor regarding a proposed homeless shelter for seniors. The New Toronto Initiative, also known as the South Etobicoke Community Association, is seeking $1 million in damages over the plan to establish the shelter on a parking lot at 66 Third Street in Etobicoke.
Speaking on behalf of the New Toronto Initiative, spokesperson Dan Perdue emphasized the group’s desire for an injunction to halt the project and ensure a more thorough consultation process. The lawsuit alleges that the public engagement efforts were skewed to limit residents’ feedback, as highlighted by Nadine Strople’s account of exclusion during a virtual meeting due to technological barriers faced by elderly tenants in the area.
Concerns raised by the community group and residents include potential safety risks, increased crime rates, and proximity to schools and senior living facilities. While some residents fear the negative impact of the shelter’s construction on the neighborhood, others, like Susannah Lavallee, advocate for providing support to unhoused seniors in a compassionate manner.
The lawsuit further alleges conflicts of interest and bylaw violations involving the councillor and a consultant associated with the shelter project. However, these claims remain unproven in court. Councillor Amber Morley expressed support for the shelter’s establishment, emphasizing the need for thoughtful planning and community input.
Despite the legal dispute, the New Toronto Initiative underscored that their objective is accountability and a reconsideration of the shelter plans, rather than financial gain. The group asserted that any potential damages awarded would be reinvested back into the community.