"
@GuelphToday received the following Letter to the Editor from Ward One Councillor Erin Caton, in regards to the upcoming daytime shelter RFP:
As a teen, I was one of “those people” trying to survive on social services who had the audacity to find community downtown, and some on City Council now would have considered me a threat to business.
When I was in high school in Sudbury, my mom moved to Alberta, and my dad’s wife didn’t want a teen in her house, so I had to live on my own to finish school due to complications with the OAC system. I was on
#OntarioWorks, had a part-time job after school, babysat for reduced rent, and still couldn’t afford regular meals. On top of the food bank and parents of friends, I was supported by a church downtown that offered a free community cafe.
Now I’m a Ward 1 City Councillor in
#Guelph. I live in the burbs, own my house and car and frequent the downtown businesses as well as those across the city. If I’m not on a patio, I get takeout for my family and shop at the farmer’s market. If you have gluten-free options that you don’t charge an extra $4 to order, I’ve eaten your food. I’m someone that’s considered “acceptable” in an economically driven version of downtown, should I choose to bring my credit card."