Letters: Government help not enough for homeless; union should complain to Ottawa

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Homelessness a growing issue in N.B.

Homelessness has become an acute issue in New Brunswick now and during the last three to five years. And this phenomenon seems to be growing all the time, and not only in Saint John.

Having started my career as a social worker in Saint John in 1960, homelessness was an issue. But it was nothing compared to what I see nowadays when I have to go there to visit friends or for a medical appointment.

It seems to me that social welfare agencies, as well as church groups, were very involved in helping the poor and the needy 50 years ago. Most people were always ready to help those in need if they could offer some kind of assistance, even a shelter.

I remember sending many people to the Salvation Army. That organization always tried to help a poor soul who had nowhere to sleep.

Perhaps it was easier in the ’60s to find employment of some sort in the Saint John area. Big construction projects were going on. There were fewer individuals roaming the streets or sleeping in the cold without a roof over their heads.

The government has taken over most of the services needed by the poor and the needy. It provides more money and services, but it is not enough to keep people away from being homeless or just roaming the streets.

Marcel Arseneau

Moncton

Union should look at federal government when complaining

CUPE N.B. seems to want to blame all its woes on the provincial PC Party.

If they were to avail themselves of and comprehend federal policies over the past eight years, they might discover that most of their problems lie at the feet of the Trudeau Liberal/NDP coalition. Food costs are up near 10 per cent, fuel costs are outrageous, housing costs are out of this world. By printing more money, our dollar has depreciated to an unbelievable level.

Plus, the money grab carbon tax is nothing but that: a money grab.

If CUPE wishes to have a spend, spend Liberal government in New Brunswick then they should be honest enough to say so. Otherwise, they might stop and consider the consequences of being mired in debt again.

If they follow politics at all, they must realize that every Liberal government in our past has either mired us in debt or at least tried to.

Food for thought.

Ted Ross

Miramichi