Monday, January 13th, is an important day in the history of Abbotsford. Now that Simon Gibson has officially retired his community can finally get around to fixing the horrendous human rights crisis he helped to create.
At Monday’s council meeting the Abbbotsford Community Services (ACS)/BC Housing proposal to devote millions of provincial government dollars over 60 years to help 20 men, who aren’t allowed into Abbotsford’s high barrier shelters, will be discussed and, possibly, decided upon.
In addition, since Simon is now gone and can no longer be embarrassed by his position or cause embarrassment to the BC Liberals by his staunch defence of Anti-Harm Reduction Bylaw, amendments to the bylaw allowing drug addicts to be afforded the same health care services as rich, white, religious people like Simon will also, finally, come to a vote.
Relying on votes from the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) which seems fed up with the homeless, alcohol dependant, mentally-ill, and drug-addicted population, councillors like John Smith, Bill MacGregor, and Mayor Bruce Banman are likely to oppose ACS/BC Housing proposal.
Other councillors, who have been swayed by the Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network (ACLN) and advocates for the homeless may choose to accept the money from the province and begin, in a small way, to address one part of the Abbotsford Homeless Crisis.
The amendments to the Anti-Harm Reduction Bylaw would allow a limited amount of health care services to be provided to addicts governed by a ‘Good Neighbour’ clause allowing the City to step in if the zombie apocalypse predicted by Gibson occurs.
The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.