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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello KW peace,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are looking for more groups to sign onto this urgent petition. Can your group sign onto this? If so, please go to this link:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdw3uHpDmmm1OVcThhRkkZvf83R15nmOj7n9x_ckMOI/edit">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdw3uHpDmmm1OVcThhRkkZvf83R15nmOj7n9x_ckMOI/edit</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See text here: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Urgent Petition: Demanding Action to Address Housing Insecurity and Community Safety in Waterloo Region</span></i><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">To: Regional Chair Karen Redman and Waterloo Regional Councilor Berry Vrbanovic, </span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Councilor Colleen James, Councilor Michael Harris, Councilor Kari Williams, Councilor Robert Deutschmann, Councilor Dorothy McCabe, Councilor Jim
Erb, Councilor Chantal Huinink, Councilor Jan Ligget, Councilor Doug Craig, Councilor Pam Wolf, Councilor Sue Foxton, Councilor Joe Nowak, Councilor Natasha Salonen, and Councilor Sandy Shantz</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">We, the undersigned residents of Waterloo Region, urgently demand immediate and decisive action from Waterloo Regional Council to confront the escalating
housing crisis and prioritize our community. Infrastructure construction and development cannot come at the cost of fundamental human rights and dignity. Our community is in crisis, and the time for half-measures and empty promises has passed. As concerned
citizens deeply invested in the well-being and safety of our community, we demand our leadership take action to address these critical issues:</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"> </span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">#1. Freeze budget increases for Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) for at least 5 years: </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">We
demand that the Region of Waterloo stop increasing the police budget yearly. WRPS has killed 2 Black men in less than four years and three people in crisis in less than 10. Black people are 4x more likely to be stopped by Waterloo Regional Police Services
and 3x more likely to experience use-of-force incidents than white people. Distress calls to the police result in use-of-force incidents more than all other calls to 911. WRPS has an unfounded rate of 27% for sexual assault cases, which is nearly 10% more
than the National Average. Since 2017, Waterloo Regional Police Services haven't cleared more than 39% of their occurrences – meaning 60% of the time, WRPS do nothing about the calls they get. Waterloo Regional Police Services waste time and resources evicting
unhoused community members and forcing them to move from location to location, sometimes as often as every 24 hours. The Region of Waterloo has historically invested in policing alternatives but failed to provide meaningful system change. Waterloo Regional
Police Services is aware of these monumental issues and has failed to address them adequately in a reasonable and timely manner. The community of Waterloo Region demands that Regional of Waterloo Council stop rewarding WRPS for their incompetence immediately. </span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">#2. Halt transit hub construction at 100Vic</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"> <b>until
there are sufficient solutions for all current and future encampment residents: </b>We insist the Region of Waterloo halt all proceedings at the 100Vic encampment related to the construction of the King-Victoria transit hub indefinitely until sufficient and
sustainable housing solutions are in place for individuals experiencing houselessness in Downtown Kitchener. While promising enhanced connectivity, currently planned construction at 100Vic can only come at the expense of displacing vulnerable community members
who are still looking for viable alternatives. We demand a comprehensive plan prioritizing all community members' dignity, safety, well-being, and self-determination.</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"> </span></b><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">#3. Conduct a meaningful review and overhaul of the shelter system:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"> The
current state of the shelter system in Waterloo Region is unacceptable and requires fundamental restructuring to meet the diverse needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. We call for an immediate and comprehensive review of the shelter system in Waterloo
Region, with a clear commitment to implementing safe, client-centered service provision enhancements. Frontline staff must receive adequate training and support to ensure that our shelters operate free from punitive measures, focusing on respect for the rights,
dignity, and care of all service users.</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">As Waterloo Region voters, we believe in upholding the values of equity, compassion, and community engagement. We are appalled by the lack of action
and accountability from our elected officials to meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. We refuse to accept a future where infrastructure projects take precedence over addressing the urgent needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We
stand united in urging Waterloo Regional Council to prioritize humanity and take decisive action to confront the housing crisis by addressing the root structures causing these issues head-on.</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Therefore, we call upon the members of Waterloo Regional Council to listen to your constituents and implement these demands immediately. Failure
to act decisively will only exacerbate the suffering of our most vulnerable community members, something our community will remember during the next municipal election. We refuse to accept lip service and empty gestures instead of substantive action; please
take action now!</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Sincerely,</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0E101A;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Your Constituent.</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">FightBack! KW</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Queer Youth Defense</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Alan Ryan People’s Defense Brigade</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Sex Worker Action Network of Waterloo Region</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Black Fox Brigade</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">GroundUp Waterloo Region</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Laurier Student Workers</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">Climate Justice University of Waterloo</span><span style="mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please fill out:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdw3uHpDmmm1OVcThhRkkZvf83R15nmOj7n9x_ckMOI/edit">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdw3uHpDmmm1OVcThhRkkZvf83R15nmOj7n9x_ckMOI/edit</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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