Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Oxford County who state that after nine years of the Liberal government, homelessness is a growing crisis in communities right across our country. There are over 1,400 homeless encampments in Ontario alone.
The petitioners are speaking particularly about the encampments that have become a visible and urgent issue, highlighting the lack of affordable housing and inadequate support services for those experiencing homelessness, and the impact it has on small and rural counties and communities like mine. In particular, they want to make sure there is enough support to get people the help they need, but also to make sure the residents who live in these communities have safe, viable neighbourhoods where they can raise their families and walk around in the parks.
The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to work with all levels of government to find a solution to end homelessness and take care of the homeless encampment crisis we are seeing right across our country by providing support to those who need help the most.