Court date to argue Region of Waterloo's encampment eviction order set for November
The legal case for evicting residents at the Victoria Street and Weber Street encampment in Kitchener has begun.
Representatives for the Region of Waterloo, along with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services who is representing ten residents at the encampment, were in court Wednesday morning, where the judge set the process and procedures in place for the eviction application.
The date for arguing the application was set for Nov. 7 and 8, even though the region had previously said construction for the new transit hub at the site was scheduled for the fall.
“I don’t have to rush to pack up everything,” said James Davis, an encampment resident. “It'd be nice to not have to pack up right away and move.”
Davis said he has worked really hard on his deck, and he would like some more time to enjoy it.
Sarah Escobar, an advocate for those living rough, sat in court as an ally.
She said while the fall court date gives those facing homelessness more time to find a new place, but it’s still not enough time.
“I’m not content that we're in a situation where our regional government is spending an unknown amount of money in court proceedings and legal proceedings when housing options are not being thought of,” said Escobar.
The court is asking interveners or people wanting to participate in the process to submit their applications to the court by Aug. 31.
Last week, the region filed an eviction notice order through the courts and asked the judge to approve the removal of the residents and their belongings from the encampment.
The region initially told people living at the location that they had to be out by June 30.
The site the encampment sits on is slated for redevelopment as part of the new transit hub.
Construction was set to begin in the fall.
“We're stuck here and we don’t have anywhere else to go. You think we choose to live in a tent?” said Steven Tayor, who lives at the encampment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.