Region of Waterloo will not immediately appeal encampment court decision, hints at future appeal if necessary
The Region of Waterloo says it is not currently planning to appeal Justice M. Valente's decision that ruled it cannot evict those living at an encampment at the corner of Victoria and Weber Streets in Kitchener.
On Thursday, the region said in a news release it “will continue to focus on supporting those experiencing homelessness in the community.”
A statement from Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman emailed to CTV News on Thursday said the region will continue to work with outreach partners to voluntarily move people living at the encampment into shelter spaces, including the new hybrid shelter planned at Erbs Road.
“Should those efforts not be successful, regional council could apply back to Justice Valente to rescind the declaration at a future date,” Redman said.
In January, Valente struck down the region’s bid to seek an injunction to evict the residents of the encampment, which sits on municipally owned land.
“Our commitment to supporting those experiencing homelessness and living rough across the region is steadfast and concerns remain for the safety and wellbeing of those living in unsanctioned encampments,” Redman said in the statement emailed to CTV News. “At the Region of Waterloo, we are working on a number of fronts with community partners to address homelessness and to find meaningful, long-term solutions.”
The region pointed to $163 million in spending on housing and homelessness approved during the regional council budget on Wednesday.
The region said this will advance the interim housing strategy and lead to increased shelter capacity.
“The interim housing strategy is an important part of the region’s plan to help end chronic homelessness, with the opening of the first outdoor shelter at region-owned property on Erbs Road as an important step forward,” the region said. “When this shelter opens, it will provide a greater range of accessible options for individuals experiencing homelessness.”
Valente’s ruling handed down on Jan. 27 dismissed the region's bid for an injunction and declined to declare the homeless individuals living in the encampment in breach of a regional by-law.
The ruling noted that the region did not have adequate shelter spaces for its homeless population.
Valente also said evicting residents would violate their charter rights to life, liberty and security.
The ruling was called precedent-setting by legal experts and those who live in the encampment.
“It’s precedent-setting, so this is setting precedent across the city, across the province and across Canada, so I think it’s a huge victory," Colin, who lives at the encampment, told CTV News last month.
ENCAMPMENT LAWYERS RESPOND TO REGION'S DECISION
Shannon down, a lawyer with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, said representing those living at the Victoria and Weber Streets encampment said she was really pleased with the region’s decision.
“We're really happy, we're relieved on behalf of our clients, some of the folks who are still living in tents at the encampment, who will obviously feel like this is a weight lifted off their shoulders,” said Down.
Adding: “This means that we can pour our energies, both the region can pour their energies and we can pour our energies into advocating and working on solutions for homelessness as opposed to battling it out in the court system.”
The makeshift tent community formed last year, peaking at more than 60 tents.
The region has been trying to clear the site to make way for a central transit hub.
In the summer, the region filed court papers to remove the encampment after many residents living in the encampment stayed past an eviction date set by the region.
“It certainly felt at times like we were up against a real uphill battle while the case was ongoing,” said Down.
If the region decides to go back to court, Down said that would be counterproductive from her point of view.
“I certainly hope that’s not what they choose to do. From my perspective that’s counterproductive,” Down said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.