It鈥檚 time to put a perpetual, and foundless rumour to rest.

There is no 鈥榤agic bus鈥� dropping off hordes of unhoused people into our community.

Every week there鈥檚 a new post on social media that 鈥渁nother busload of unhoused people (usually more derogatory term used) has been dropped off in town, this time behind the courthouse鈥� or in the park, or behind the grocery store.

There is no concrete evidence to suggest this is happening. More accurately, it鈥檚 not possible. Why?

Because the same rumour persists in nearly every community in B.C.

Tall tales like these do nothing to support those in need, and only serve to fuel fear, anxiety and anger among those lacking critical thinking skills.

Consider this: If even half those drop-offs were real, the unhoused count in our community 鈥� and every community in the province 鈥� would be exponentially greater than it is. Conversely, if Vancouver and Victoria were constantly sending these people out of those cities, wouldn鈥檛 the homelessness issue be resolved in those centres?

Indeed, there are more unhoused people in our community now than there were five years ago. But the same stands true in virtually every community, regardless of size. Why? Because housing has become an unsustainable concept for many - particularly those who are either working for minimum wage, or receiving social assistance.

And yes, there are those in need who come to our community seeking help - but they are not being 鈥渟hipped out,鈥� en masse, from other jurisdictions.

To suggest things like 鈥減roviding supportive housing will only bring more homeless to our community鈥� is dangerously short-sighted. Supportive housing is needed in every city in the province, and all levels of government are working to provide this.

Organizations working with governments to provide solutions to our housing crisis need our support, not distractions like the 鈥榤agic bus鈥� scenario.

That serves no positive purpose.