Plante, Legault differ on curfew for homeless
The mayor wants homeless people to be exempt from the curfew, but the premier says no – even though a man has died because he had nowhere to go after 8 p.m.
François Legault says that other people would claim to be homeless if it he allowed an exception.
EmilyG 21:01 on 2021-01-19 Permalink
Wow. You’d have to be a real jerk to claim you’re homeless just to stay out later.
EmilyG 21:02 on 2021-01-19 Permalink
I think most people wouldn’t even do that.
Kate 21:08 on 2021-01-19 Permalink
Legault is also implying that police wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
Ephraim 21:44 on 2021-01-19 Permalink
How about a fine of $1500 for the policeman if he can’t find someone who says they are homeless a place to stay for the night…. it’s more effective than giving the homeless person the fine 🙂
Bill Binns 00:47 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
We don’t think people would tell a little fib to a cop to get out of a thousand dollar fine? Really?
I hope some brave hero tests this idea after homeless advocates inevitably get the exemption they are demanding. It may finally force the government to define the term “homeless”.
paul 09:35 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
Wow, this has the potential to blow up in the Premier’s face.
Despite the numerous policy errors thoughout the pandemic, I am sensing that some of the criticism towards Big Daddy Legault is actually starting to stick.
Joey 11:03 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
Come on, Bill Binns. If homeless people were exempt and someone tried to feign homelessness to get out of a ticket, the incredibly wise and sensible police can use their judgment to issue a ticket regardless of the protestations. They can search the person to see if they have ID, etc., and the ticket can be contested. The risk of mischievous non-homeless succcessfully impersonating the homeless is much lower than the risk that cops would simply disregard the order to leave the homeless be.
DavidH 11:43 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
Food delivery drivers are exempt and all you need for that is a car and a smartphone. I feel that’s a much bigger loophole.
Michael Black 12:03 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
People don’t want to be mistaken for homeless. It’s a judgement, and in a negative way. All those stereotypes that people like to perpetuate. Some homeless work hard to not “look homeless”, they are more likely to be left on that bench, or allowed to visit that vernissage for the free food, or sit at a lecture, or access a bathroom.
But it’s one of those assymetries of discrimination. If someone who’s homeless thinks you are homeless, there’s not the feeling of dread that comes if the mainstream judges you, it’s inclusion.
I gave some thought to going over to Cabot Square, wondering if I could pick up a vaccine that way. If the cops treat me like riff-raff, might as well benefit from it. For some people, getting stopped is the default, not because of a curfew.
walkerp 12:20 on 2021-01-20 Permalink
Not my joke, but a good one:
What about the risk of pretending you are a cabinet member so you can travel to a tropical location during a pandemic?