April 2, 2007

AN OPEN LETTER
To Calgary City Council, The Province of Alberta,
the Federal Government; and,
To the citizens of Calgary, of Alberta, and of Canada

To Whom It Should Concern,

On Sunday, April 1st, a temporary shelter created by the City of Calgary in an old Brick warehouse closed.

Unfortunately, closing the temporary shelter means that more than 300 homeless Canadians have nowhere to keep warm, while the temperatures in Calgary persist at the below zero mark. The other shelters are just too full.

On my way to work this morning after the Brick shelter closure, I saw along the transit lines, huddled in doorways and on grates, a large number of people lying on the concrete shivering visibly under blankets – and some even without blankets. It was a very affecting image.

A city, province, and country this rich should not stand idly by letting these people suffer. This is unnecessary cruelty. We can do better.

This open letter, delivered both on behalf of concerned citizens and on behalf of those less fortunate, asks Calgary City Council, the Province, and the Government of Canada to please consider this a State of Emergency and do whatever necessary to shelter these people immediately.

This open letter also urges all citizens of Calgary with a heart and a conscience to stand up for your less fortunate neighbours and demand that your City Council and your governments move immediately on this issue.

In sincere hope,

Laurie Fuhr
Concerned Citizen