Poll finds majority in Toronto, GTA want people moved from encampments to support facilities

A new poll has found that a majority of Toronto and Greater Toronto Area residents want unhoused people moved from encampments to supervised support facilities, even if it infringes on their rights. Eighty percent of Torontonians and 85% of GTA residents believe people camping in public spaces should be relocated, while 82% in Toronto and 85% in the GTA support the idea of requiring individuals struggling with addiction to enter treatment, even if this contravenes their rights.

Support for moving people living in encampments increases with age, with 72% of residents aged 18 to 34 agreeing, compared to 82% of those aged 35 to 54 and 92% of those aged 55 and over. However, only 24% of Torontonians and 27% of GTA residents give their communities an A or B grade when it comes to caring for vulnerable people, suggesting a disconnect between the intervention residents support and the care communities are perceived to provide.

The poll highlights the challenge faced by political leaders in transforming calls for intervention into effective, humane solutions.