A large chunk of Canada might be seething with aching cold but that doesn’t mean the country is bereft of any warmth. You regard Canada as one of the most happiest nations in an entire world. At a time where so many of the world’s countries are often at contrasting economic standpoints- one often sees- Canada maintaining cordiality and a unique stance of neutrality with the world.
The land of Winnie the Pooh, the home of perhaps the most charming political dignitary at the moment and, a country that has added to the funny contours of Hollywood- birthing Jim Carrey, Seth Rogen among others- is a nation one almost always extends warmest of regards to.
But even the finest nations have to often dabble with certain problems or concerns. At the moment, Canada is attempting to solve a rather intriguing problem- one that doesn’t concern with xenophobic or terror elements, rather one that stems from a rather burgeoning problem from the insides of one of its most alluring cities: Toronto.
A peculiar problem that has afflicted the land of the ‘Maple leaf’ is one that concerns Canada’s homeless. At the moment, quite unbelievably so, Canada is jostling with nearly 200,000 homeless people. In a rather surprising turn of events, it is reported that at any given point of time- according to CBC- as many as 1,50,000 people use a homeless shelter.
But when one speaks of Toronto, a thriving metropolis and a bustling centre of economic and trade activity, the concern regarding homeless takes a sordid bit of turn. Many of Toronto’s homeless fight poverty and in addition to this growing malaise of the 21st century world- mental illnesses.
Owing to this scenario, one has experienced growing misconceptions toward the suffering of the harmless lot in Canada. People often direct ire toward the homeless calling them names; “derelict”, “hobo”!
That is exactly where Canada has bounced back to serve its needy and the not so privileged.
In order to fight the growing taboo that speaks of misconceptions against the homeless, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness have developed, circulated a string of message-based campaigns to raise awareness; thus to alleviate bias. On an average, there are about over 4400 men, women and children who use emergency shelter systems each night. The concern only gains a grave shape when one recollects that Canada’s winter is biting and unrelenting.
The advertising campaign is aimed at encouraging dialogue about 4 new shelters for the homeless that are to come about toward the fag-end of 2017. Upon dialogue with everyday Canadians, it appeared that there existed at a ghastly level, indifference regarding construction of homeless centres. People just didn’t want a new homeless centre to come about at their neighbourhood. The campaign, in this direction, has forwarded effective messaging asking Canada to be more accepting and tolerant of the struggling; those who struggle from indifference and economic plight.
At the end of the day, what more could a homeless soul ask for other than a clean bed, good food and protection from the unforeseen out in broad daylight. Isn’t it? Well done Toronto, take a bow!