Squeegee- Kid Ban free essay sample

Court of Appeal upholds anti-squeegee law (National Post) Rose Bhullar The Mike Harris Conservative government introduced The Ontario-wide legislation in 1999, after hearing several complaints from drivers about the squeegee-kids. According to the Ontario Court of Appeal, regulation pedestrians and traffic and reducing dangers on the streets is more important than having a homeless (squeegee-kid) earn money by cleaning your cars window. After banning the squeegee-kids, the court had dismissed 11 homeless men who were convicted of provincial offences in 2001 for either cleaning windshields or asking drivers for money. Arguments arose on whether or not the court had made the right decision. The offender had mentioned that the Safe Streets Act and Highway Traffic Act, ban any being from interacting with a stopped vehicle. But according to executive director of Justice for Children and Youth, Martha Mackinnon, this law is not applied to everyone. The offenders say by having the homeless clean your windshields, it interferes with their freedom of rights, expression and security; according to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; however Justice Russell Juiansz disagrees. We will write a custom essay sample on Squeegee- Kid Ban or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He mentions, no where under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms does it prevent the â€Å"poor† from begging. Peter Rosenthal, the Lawyer of the appellants was devastated with the decision and would like to take this case in the hands of the Supreme Court of Canada. He had stated, â€Å" Perhaps I didnt explain it properly to the Court of Appeal, But the people were talking about are people so poor they have to beg † Unfortunately, under the Charter, protection is only for those targeted by their race, sex, ethnic origin or age are protected. I believe its not right to get punished for trying to put food on the table; its even more wrong to punish someone who has no shelter, job or family. I believe many people may have issues with the fact that Squeegee-kids earn money and dont pay taxes or they might be using the money towards a bad cause. But we should reconsider that though theyre not paying taxes, theyre also not getting free health care. People may also want to consider that most of these kids are homeless because they tried escaping sexual assault, abuse or mental/physical torment. These kids are supposed to be future leaders, but the societys not giving them a helping hand, instead were pushing them down. Picture living in a home where there is no love being shown. Living in a house where the people that were supposed to care, just makes these kids feel like their lives are not worth living. Being beaten by the one you look up to. Worse yet, being sexually abused by the one trusted the most. That is what a lot of these kids have gone through. No one can blame them for running away. Society has to except it and try and help these kids live a normal life. Finally, I also understand that theyre can be false homeless people or others who are homeless due to large intakes of drugs. Some might even think the money coming out of there pocket is going towards drugs and alcoholic beverages, but were never too sure. Also, you dont have to pay them if you dont want to. However, there are some homeless people who will use that money towards medical care and food. Questions: If the Squeegee-kids are going to be fined for panhandling, how do you think the courts are going to find these kids? Do you believe Squeegee-Kids are being â€Å"pests† downtown or do you think its alright if they earn money the way they do. Do you believe Squeegee-kids put on an â€Å"act† to get money? Do you believe the money is going towards drugs and alcoholic beverages instead of health care and food?