From Maple Leaf Paradise to Homeless Haven: Vancouver’s Troubling Transformation

① Beloved Canadian Travel Destinations

Canada is a beautiful travel destination in all seasons. Especially in the fall, the country is known for its breathtaking autumn foliage. Canada is considered one of the top fall travel destinations worldwide. Among tourists, fall is the most preferred season to visit Canada.

Major tourist spots in Canada include Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal. Among them, Niagara Falls is, without a doubt, the most popular. As a globally renowned site, the waterfall is incredibly large. Not only in the fall, but Canada also becomes a picturesque winter wonderland during the colder months.

The surreal natural landscapes captivate tourists’ hearts. It’s also a great place to enjoy various activities.
It’s a prime destination to enjoy nature fully.

Canada is also known among tourists for its low crime rate, making it a safe city to visit. However, there have been recent issues regarding the safety situation in Vancouver.

② Surge of Homelessness in Vancouver

Canada is known for its safety compared to the United States. However, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a shake-up in Canada’s public safety. Various types of crime have increased compared to pre-COVID-19 times.

Particularly in Vancouver, the city is grappling with a growing homelessness problem. The number of homeless people in Vancouver has significantly increased since the pandemic. According to the ‘2023 Homeless Population Survey Report’ released by the BC Homeless Services Association, as of March 7-8 this year, the number of homeless people in Vancouver was counted as 4,821. This is a 32% increase compared to March 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak.

This drastic increase has shocked the citizens. Even the Advisory Council on Homelessness pointed out that “the reported number of homeless people is likely significantly underestimated.”

The main reason for the increase in homelessness in Vancouver is attributed to the COVID-19 situation.
In particular, insufficient income, drug use issues, and mental health problems are cited as underlying causes. As the homelessness issue in Vancouver worsens, the Vancouver authorities have been implementing policies related to homelessness each year. However, there is no clear solution yet.

Last year, there was even a shooting targeting the homeless in the suburbs of Vancouver. In January, there was a case where eight teenage girls in downtown Toronto collectively murdered a homeless person. Three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds, a total of eight people, were charged with second-degree murder. They killed the homeless person by wielding a weapon. In Canada, where violent crimes are not common, this incident came as a shock.

③ Economic Issues Becoming Serious

The issue of homelessness in Vancouver is also a controversy among tourists. Last year, it was reported that 110 homeless people died in Toronto. Many of them were revealed to have died due to drug overdose. Also, 92 people were found dead while wandering the streets.

One tourist, after visiting Vancouver, left a comment saying, “Even during the day, the streets were shocking and didn’t feel safe at all.” Downtown Eastside and Chinatown are known as the main slums in Vancouver. Even at UBC’s Vancouver campus, homeless people are living there. It’s common to see homeless people begging for money in Vancouver. They sometimes threaten or show violent behavior towards tourists.

The majority of the homeless population is over the age of 55. 33% of the homeless people in Vancouver are of indigenous origin. They are exposed defenselessly to various diseases while living on the streets. Mental health and drug misuse issues are also becoming more serious. On the other hand, there is an opinion that the number of homeless people suffering from economic problems is rapidly increasing as taxes in Canada are high. Six out of ten Canadians believe that the Canadian economy is in a slump.

The cost of living in Canada is rising every year, but the income is not much. Canada is famous as a welfare state. However, the taxes in Canada are relatively high. In Canada, taxes vary greatly depending on each household’s income.

According to the complex calculation method of the federal tax agency, it’s within 6-30% of income. Even the middle class can end up homeless. The pension received after retirement varies from person to person, but it is known to be much higher than in Korea. Canada has a national health insurance system that allows free medical treatment and testing. Although you can receive free treatment, you cannot expect the same level of care as in Korea. Even among local Canadians, many are dissatisfied with the inconvenient system.

By. Mia Han