In written delegations, the Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team, Keeping Six, a harm-reduction advocacy group, and the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic urge the city to leave the encampments be unless inhabitants are given acceptable alternatives.

Doctors Tim O’Shea and Jill Wiwcharuk say clearing away people can severe crucial ties outreach and health-care workers have established with vulnerable patients who don’t stay in shelters.

“People don’t cease to exist when they are told to move along,” said Wiwcharuk.

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