Poverty activists stormed city hall today, interrupting a council meeting to protest Toronto's services for the homeless.
Members of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty planned the protest after a homeless man was found dead in a downtown stairwell on Feb. 27, reportedly as a result of freezing temperatures.
About a dozen Toronto police officers were on hand and ushered the protesters out of council chambers.
In a news release issued by the organization Monday, OCAP said the city needs to address a shortage in Toronto shelters.
"Over the last decade the city has refused to address the serious over-crowding and lack of beds that exist in the shelter system," the statement said. "We cannot bring this man back. But we can demand no further deaths occur."
The week before the homeless man died, city officials heard deputations from social service agencies as well as homeless people, advocating for more financial support to services.
OCAP member Gaetan Heroux was quoted in Monday's news release saying people who stay in hostels face dangerous conditions.
"Not only do crowded hostels create violence and psychological damage, but many people will face the bracing cold of February and could sustain cold injuries and even perish," he said.
According to OCAP, the city recently closed down five shelters in the downtown core, resulting in a total loss of 312 beds.
