Lorrie Steves' comments make homelessness an election issue in Winnipeg

Aggressive addiction, addiction and homelessness were in the media this past weekend when GordSteve's wife Lorrie's rant went viral on Facebook. Homelessness advocates now say it's an opportunity to make homelessness an election issue.

Joseph Tulloch is one of the most dedicated volunteers at Agape Table, a homeless center in downtown Winnipeg.

“I'm here because I like helping people,” Tulloch said. “I'm homeless myself, and I like to be around people as much as possible.

Tulloch said he was offended by comments posted on Facebook by Lorrie, the wife of mayoral candidate Gord Steves.

Although he had never run for civic office before, Tulloch said he had changed his mind.

“I'm going to vote now,” Tulloch said. “I don't like racist, nobody should be racist in the city.”

Martina Richter, executive director of the Agape Table, said everyone from the homeless to Lorrie Steves deserves respect.

“Don't have a debate about, 'Oh, that was the right comment, that was the wrong comment,'” Richter said. “Someone needs our help, what can we do for them?” What can we do in the future.”

Should homelessness be a campaign issue?

After Lorrie Steves' comments for the mayoral candidates, a window has opened to make homelessness an important election issue.

Beverly Burkard Roberts runs Red Road Lodge, an organization that provides affordable, transitional housing.

Burkard said providing short-term housing is one thing, but housing people indefinitely is another matter.

“We need more services, and that's really what it comes down to,” Burkard said.

Burkard said it's critical to invest more in services like counseling to help the homeless work through the issues that put them on the street in the first place.

But that would require more funding to keep qualified people in advisory positions, Burkard said.

“Why are we making it so difficult for non-profits to necessarily work?” Why is this civil non-profit work that should be done at the provincial and federal level? »

Burkard hopes the mayoral candidates will focus on homelessness and provide voters with concrete strategies.

He also hopes candidates will learn from the Lorrie Steves Facebook comment scandal and not just talk about issues in downtown Winnipeg on social media.