Neither police nor bylaw will be at Kitchener encampment on eviction day, says region
Neither police nor bylaw officers will be on site at a Kitchener encampment on June 30, the day the Region of Waterloo says everyone living there must leave by.
In an email to CTV News, the Region of Waterloo said regional staff, bylaw and police will not be at the encampment on eviction day, nor will they remove people.
The region said they expect encampment residents to comply with the order to leave and enforcement won’t be needed.
Currently, there are dozens of tents still on the property. The region has estimated the number around 60.
At the beginning of June, the region said the camp had become unsafe and issued an order to vacate by June 30.
Earlier this week, a large demonstration in support of the camp took place in downtown Kitchener, asking the region to throw out the eviction order.
CTV News spoke to people living at the site Friday afternoon and asked if they plan to move voluntarily.
"Honestly I am hoping between now and then we can come up with a better resolution where we can all be happy – the community, city council and ourselves,” said Jen Draper. “Perhaps a more permanent space until we can find housing, or maybe we will find housing, there are a lot of empty units here in Kitchener, so hopefully we will be moving on to a better solution, but if one doesn't come up I don’t think we will be moving on the 30th.”
The eviction notice is set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 30.
The region said if people do not comply with the notice to vacate, it may need to seek direction from the courts on next steps.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Saskatoon mother accused of faking death says she 'was left with no choice'
A Saskatoon mother who stands accused of faking her own death, as well as her son's, and illegally entering the U.S. is defending her actions.

Well-known Brampton, Ont. real estate agent, media personality savagely attacked outside home
A well-known real estate agent and media personality in Brampton, Ont. was viciously attacked in broad daylight in his own driveway by three men, two of whom appeared to be wielding an axe and a machete.
Canadian army veteran charged with murder after mass shooting in Belize nightclub
A Canadian Armed Forces veteran has been charged with murder in connection to a mass shooting in Belize that left two people dead and eight others injured.
Dutch farmer protests and what's happening in Canada, explained
The ongoing protests in the Netherlands, by farmers opposed to their government’s plan to slash nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, have drawn attention to Canadian farmers’ concerns over an emissions reduction target set by the Canadian government. But the policies set out by the Dutch government and the Canadian government are fundamentally different, experts say.
Aid shipment to Afghanistan cancelled due to anti-terrorist law
Two containers of food bound for Afghanistan have been cancelled by a Canada-based aid agency because of a law banning any dealings with the Taliban.
Doctors call for action as growing number of Canadians dying from common food preservative
Doctors are among those calling for tighter regulation of sodium nitrite as a growing number of Canadians are dying after intentionally ingesting unsafe quantities of the common food preservative in its pure form.
Donald Trump 'took the Fifth.' What does it actually mean?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump showed up Wednesday for questioning under oath in New York's civil investigation into his business practices. But he quickly made clear he wouldn't be answering.
Man pleads guilty to threatening prime minister during Cambridge campaign stop
A man has pleaded guilty to uttering a threat against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a campaign stop in Cambridge last year.
Two children at centre of Sask. Amber Alert found safe in South Dakota, suspect arrested
The Meade County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota said it has arrested the man wanted in connection with an Amber Alert in Saskatchewan.