“Re-unification is a meaningful step forward toward reconciliation.” This is how the relocation of Vancouver’s Indigenous homeless population is cynically phrased in a leaked draft plan from city hall to “revitalize” the Downtown Eastside, the poster child for homelessness in Canada.
But what does “re-unification” mean? The plan lays out how the city will meet with First Nations leaders to “return” homeless Indigenous to their home nations. As of 2023, the Indigenous people made up nearly half the homeless population in Vancouver, so in the twisted mind of mayor Ken Sim, relocation of the largest portion of the homeless population makes perfect sense!
But if Sim thinks the housing crisis in Vancouver is bad, he might want to take a look at what it looks like on reserves. Reports from numerous Indigenous groups show there’s a shortage across the country of nearly 160,000 homes, 60,000 are in need of serious repair, and overcrowding is commonplace. The rest of the “revitalization” plan reveals what’s really going on – the city will also be freezing all social housing construction! It’s pure cynical convenience to call this “reconciliation” – let’s call it what it actually is, austerity and relocation.
–Matt K., Vancouver
