The opposition in New Brunswick believes that the premier showed a lack of compassion when he responded to the recent deaths of two homeless individuals by discussing a law that might make homeless people go to addiction treatment.
Susan Holt, the leader of the Liberal party, stated that Blaine Higgs’ remarks in the legislature on Tuesday did not display understanding for the two individuals who died in a tent fire at an encampment near a highway on-ramp in Saint John.
In response to a question from the opposition about how his government would prevent tent fires at encampments, Higgs mentioned that some people are unwilling to leave the streets.
The premier also mentioned that his government will introduce a law to assist people in going to shelters when their lives are at risk.
Earlier, Public Safety Minister Kris Austin told CBC in the autumn that the government intended to propose a law allowing the police to compel individuals to undergo drug rehabilitation in severe situations.
Both Holt and Green Party Leader David Coon are worried that the premier linked the law to homelessness, believing that the law is contentious and could be damaging.
This article by The Canadian Press was initially published on March 27, 2024.
