A social and economic impact study of the Ontario safe streets act on Toronto squeegee workers

Squeegee cleaning was once a primary source of economic activity for many homeless youth in Ontario. Effective January 31, 2000 the Ontario government officially censured this activity, along with other forms of "aggressive" begging. This paper reports on the social and economic impact that the Ontario Safe Streets Act (OSSA) has had on a sample of 50 homeless youth in Toronto. Youth who were once actively engaged in squeegee cleaning prior to the OSSA are now living more difficult lives. Although the legislation has not had the effect of completely eradicating this work, two years after squeegee cleaning was banned homeless youth who once heavily relied upon the income from squeegee cleaning are now more likely to be sleeping in more dangerous environments, are more likely to be panhandling, selling drugs (males), and collecting social assistance. There is also evidence to suggest that relations with the police have worsened for these youth since the OSSA came into effect. These findings are then discussed in terms of neo conservative punitive modes of social control and social exclusion.