Citizens against 'NIMBY-ism' present petition to city hall
A small but dedicated group of concerned Regina citizens delivered a petition against ‘NIMBY-ism’ to Regina city hall Monday morning.
The group is upset that city council turned down a proposal for a homeless shelter in June.
The motion for the shelter failed to pass in a vote of 6-5. It would have been located on the corner of Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue – a site that was chosen after three years of searching.
The petition group blames the pushback on the shelter proposal on people they call "NIMBYs" which stands for “Not In My Back Yard.”
The group claims those sharing “NIMBY” views have negative attitudes towards subsidized low income housing and emergency shelters.
Monday’s petition calls for a ban on “NIMBY” speech at all City of Regina meetings.
The group has said the chair of any meeting should be the one to decide what comments are deemed “NIMBY” and to cut speakers off who share those views.
“According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, ‘NIMBY-ism’ is quote ‘a human rights issue,’” concerned citizen Florence Stratton told reporters. “It happens when people hold negative attitudes or stereotypes of both the people who live in affordable housing or use emergency shelters.”
“In other words, ‘NIMBY-ism’ is a form of discrimination.”
Stratton went on to say that anyone uttering such words should be shamed.
“I imagine if someone stood in City Council and said, ‘I don’t want a black person next door to me,’ they could be cut off,” she added.
“Really if you’re saying you don’t want a shelter – or you don’t want low income housing – you’re saying you don’t want Indigenous people next door to me. I don’t want poor people next to me. So I just assume the same kind of principal would work.”
The City of Regina responded to CTV News' request for comment Tuesday morning – outlining the petition process.
“In accordance with city policy, copies of the petition will be provided to all members of council for information,” the statement read.
“No further action will be contemplated at this time unless directed otherwise by council.”
--With files from Gareth Dillistone and Hallee Mandryk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 dead, third in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., suspect arrested
Two people are dead and a third suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at an encampment in Kingston, Ont., Thursday. A suspect has been arrested following a multi-hour standoff.
B.C. will scrap carbon tax if feds remove requirement: Eby
British Columbia's premier says the province will end the consumer carbon tax if the federal government removes the legal requirement to have one.
Actor Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen, dies at 63
Chad McQueen, an actor known for his performances in the 'Karate Kid' movies and the son of the late actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, has died. He was 63.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
Ottawa resident who tested positive for mosquito-borne virus dies, public health says
An Ottawa resident who died of a viral encephalitis this summer tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV), the first human case of the virus in Ottawa.
Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces US$47M haul in hours afterward
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out another presidential debate against Kamala Harris as her campaign announced a massive fundraising haul in the hours after the two candidates met on stage.
'Keep your bags packed': Consul general grilled over $9M NYC condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
NEW N.B. premier's asylum seeker comments spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are 'largely fictitious,' says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
TIFF pauses screenings of documentary about Russian soldiers due to 'significant threats'
The Toronto Film Festival says it has been forced to pause the screenings of a documentary about Russian soldiers this weekend, citing 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.'