This may be of interest to readers - a push for a progressive policy on
squatting. Cathy Crowe
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>       "The Trespass Act cannot be enforced against
>        homeless people attempting to establish
>        residence in abandoned apartment buildings."
>
>Twenty-five members of OCAP (Ontario Coalition Against Poverty) were
>charged on March 5, 1997 with tresspassing when we occupied a vacant
>apartment building in order to take shelter or support those needing
>shelter.
>
>We appear in court on March 4, 5, 6, 1998 at Old City Hall, Toronto.
>
>We will use section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to
>argue that the Trespass Act cannot be enforced against homeless people
>attempting to establish residence in abandoned apartment buildings and
>also that the right to shelter takes precedence over any property rights
>of the owner of an unused apartment building.
>
>The 6 page outline of legal argument is available by fax from OCAP
>925-6939  Leave your fax number or by email from [log in to unmask]
>
>The outline quotes legal precedents as well as international covenants
>signed by Canada and includes the following statements:
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>       "Canada has failed to fulfill its obligations under international
>       treaties to provide adequate housing for all its residents."
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>       We ask the court to find "...that  there has been a deprivation
>       of the right to life, liberty and security of the person and,
>       secondly that the deprivation is contrary to the principles of
>       fundamental justice."
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>       "It is respectfully submitted that balancing the interests in the
>       present case in accordance with the principles of fundamental
>       justice requires that the state prefer the applicants' rights to
>       shelter over the property rights of the owner as long as the
>       owner is not using or developing the property."
>
>We urge you to attend our rally on the steps of Old City Hall at 9:00 am
>each morning Wed, Thurs and Friday, March 4, 5, 6 and to attend the
>proceedings.
>
>Call OCAP 925-6939 for information.
>...................................
>
> Bob Olsen     Toronto         [log in to unmask]   (:-)
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>