Cambridge residents express concern over homeless encampment at proposed CTS site
Frustration and emotions were high at a town hall meeting as residents expressed their concern over a homeless encampment at the proposed Consumption Treatment Services site in Cambridge.
The Thursday evening town hall meeting was held to discuss community safety.
A number of residents shared stories with city councillors about how they’ve been impacted by the encampment growing outside the proposed CTS site at 150 Main Street.
“The immediate community around 150 Main is suffering,” one resident said. “I’ve seen the neighbourhood activity dwindle down to nothing.”
Some concerns were raised over traffic and pedestrian safety as well as affordable housing.
“I was able to get financially stable and put a roof over my kid’s head. I bought my very first home Aug. 15, 2022, on Shade Street, right across from 150 Main Street,” another resident said. “That was my very first home and I don’t regret buying the home. I regret buying the neighbourhood.”
The majority of the pleas centered on the tents in the parking lot of the proposed CTS site, with many fearful about what they say are growing levels of crime.
“I witness firsthand the countless overdoses in the parking lot,” said another resident. “Many who are intoxicated or high, staggering around the parking lot.”
An encampment at 150 Main Street in Cambridge is seen in this undated photo.
Mayor Jan Liggett shared how her own family has been affected.
“One of my children had somebody try to push their way into their home and had to get that person off the property,” said Liggett. “My grandson makes his mother check the windows at the doors every night, twice, and then he gets up later to check it himself.
“Everybody here is listening and are appalled by what you are going through as well as your neighbours.”
Near the end of the meeting, some residents expressed support for a sanctioned encampment site in the city to help manage the level of homelessness and reduce the level of crime in the downtown core.
There’s no indication yet as to when or how council might act on the input received Thursday.
MORE MAYOR REACTION
In an interview Friday, Mayor Jan Liggett said the majority of the concerns council heard from residents are things that have been discussed for years, but fall in Waterloo region’s jurisdiction.
“Most of the problems brought to the table and the questions brought to the table were items that we don’t have control over,” she said. “We don’t have the legislative ability to solve any of those problems or attempt to. It was an educational process.”
Mayor Liggett said, as a member of regional council, she will bring the stories she heard forward to the region.
“Those stories help us get to the end, they help us get there. They’re that push,” she explained.
Additionally, Liggett said the problems that were raised highlight the need for regional restructuring.
“This was just a very small indicator of why that sort of thing is necessary,” she said. “It’s not just planning issues, it’s safety concerns as well.”
CTV News reached out to Waterloo region for an interview. The region could not provide an interview or comment on the subject.
Correction
An earlier version of this story stated the encampment was at a CTS site. In actuality, it is at the proposed location of a potential CTS site.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.