A TikTok video calling on Canada's Prime Minister to address homelessness on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside has gone viral.
The video, recorded by a B.C.-based man, shows numerous people walking down a crowded sidewalk along East Hastings Street; tere are also several tents.
"Hey, Trudeau. These are Canadian sons and daughters...somebody's children. This is the state of Vancouver. This is your Canada," he says.
The local outdoors-enthusiast questions whether the Prime Minister has visited the area, underscoring that his video was recorded "post-pandemic, post-restrictions...this is the state of homelessness and addiction."
Finally, the local TikToker implores Trudeau to "come down to Main and Hastings in Vancouver and start to immerse yourself in the actual problems of Canadians."
The video has been viewed a whopping 323,000 times since it was posted Tuesday (June 21).
@bcbikeboard @Justin Trudeau 🇨🇦 its time you visit main and hastings #vancouver #canada #help ♬ original sound - bcbikeboard
Many have supported the video, liking it and sharing it across social media. However, others note the issue is a provincial one rather than a federal one.
Several people note that affordability should be a concern of the Prime Minister. Anthony Carlo writes "not being able to afford rent because wages don't match inflation is not people going wrong it's Canada going wrong."
Others remark the issue has persisted for decades, however.
"I’m not defending the PM. But why this is his problem? This is been for years and years," Hedo Alhamadani writes.
The only news for Metro Vancouver renters seems to be bad news this year, as a new report shows average apartment prices continue to climb in the region.
Across Canada, Vancouver remains the most expensive major city to rent an unfurnished one-bedroom unit, with listings averaging $2,367 this month.
Vancouver Is Awesome reached out to @bcbikeboard for comment.
