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  • Home
    • Connecting with our WR Municipalities & Local Democracy
    • Human Rights - Leaning in & Learning >
      • A Human Rights approach to encampments - What does this mean?
      • Exploring the Key Principles of "A National Protocol for Homeless Encampments in Canada"
      • Draft Policy – Encampments on Region-Owned Public Lands
    • Living Rough >
      • Living Rough: Warming & Cooling Centres
      • Info Page: Living Rough: Encampments
      • Living Rough: Victoria/Weber Encampment 1.0: Summer Recap
      • Living Rough: Washrooms
      • Unsheltered: Living the Experince
    • Advocacy - Nickles and Dimes >
      • Dear RoW: Your Bylaw is Faulty (& Your Politics Kinda Suck) - Seeking Change: Nickels & Dimes
      • Open Letter: ​Seeking aid for Unsheltered in face of current Extreme Weather Crisis
      • CAEH Conference Ottawa 2024
      • WR Women's Shelter - What's going on? Regional Council Meeting
      • 519 Community Collective: Enough is Enough
      • Me Proposal Jan 13th 2020 Details
      • Unsheltered Campaign Letters to Local Municipalities
      • Unsheltered Campaign 2022 Municipal Candidate Pledge
      • My "nickel": Victoria and Weber Encampment
      • Love, compassion and a whole lot of action!
      • As we start having more of the difficult conversations surrounding Unsheltered lives
      • Social Justice Housing Rally
      • On the right to adequate housing
      • Host Bob Jonkman connects with Regan Sunshine Brusse , Anti-Poverty activist with the Alliance Against Poverty
      • The Record: Letter to the Editor re: oneROOF Funding Loss
      • Community Forum: Videos
      • Alliance Against Poverty Supports Local Grassroot Plea For Aid
      • Blue Sky Horse Radio Segment - Martin Asling, Lesley Crompton, And Terry Kaan
    • Around here - Older content
    • Municipal Meeting Pages >
      • April 23, 2025 Regional Council Meeting & 100 Vic. Proposed Bylaw April 23, 2025
      • WRPS Board Meeting June 12, 2024
      • October 12, 2022 Region of Waterloo Council Meeting
      • August 18, 2022 Regional Council Meeting
      • June 22nd Regional Council Meeting
      • August 9, 2022 Regional Community Services Comittee Meeting
      • Region of Waterloo Council Meeting April 27, 2022
      • May 9. 2022 -Region of Waterloo Community Services Committee Meeting
      • November 15, 2021: 2022 Plan & Budget Development- Com. of Whole
      • 2022 Budget public input session- Regional Council November 8, 2021
      • November 9th, 2021- Committee of the Whole Regional meeting
      • Proposed November 17, 2021 To Waterloo Regional Council
      • June 26, 2023 City of Kitchener Council Meeting
      • December 6, 2022 Region of Waterloo Meetings
    • Advocacy Resources - Broad
    • Social Media
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We have received this afternoon’s decision from Justice Valente regarding the Region’s property at 100 Victoria Street North. Below is a statement from Chair Redman on behalf of the Region of Waterloo. pic.twitter.com/LJAtdk9DT0

— Region of Waterloo (@RegionWaterloo) January 27, 2023
​
  • ​​​​​Engage Waterloo Region: Interim Housing Solutions
  • ​​Housing and Shelter - Region of Waterloo​​
  • Media Release - Region Expands Warming Centre Access
  • ​Media Release - Regional Council: Making decisions that matter - January 25, 2023​​

(Below document sourced from link at top of page)
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.


​The Courts Judgement (PDF): 

​The Regional Municipality of Waterloo v. Persons Unknown and to be ​Ascertained, 2023 ONSC 670
COURT FILE NO.: CV-22-717 DATE: 2023-01-27
 - The Public Record (Source of scrollable document below)
Document Sub-Sections (Listed) 
  • Introduction- Pg. 1 - [1] 
  • The Parties and their Respective Positions- Pg. 2 - [2]-[6]
  • The By-Law - Pg. 3 - [7]-[13]
  • 100 Victoria Street North, Kitchener - Pg. 4 - [14]-[16]
  • Homelessness in the Region - Pg. 5 - [17]-[18]
  • The Encampment - Pg. 6 - [19]-[21]
  • The Encampment Residents - Pg. 7 - [22]-[23]
  • The Encampment Policy - Pg. 8 - [24]-[31]
  • Steps Initiated by the Region Pursuant to the Encampment Policy - Pg. 10 - [32]-[36]
  • The Risk Assessment - Pg. 12 - [37]-[46]
  • Adverse Impacts of the Encampment - Pg. 14 - [47]-[50]
  • Risk of being Homeless - Pg. 15 - [51]-[56]
  • The Region’s Efforts to Expand Resources for its Homeless - Pg.19 - [57]-[61]
  • The Region’s Current Emergency Shelter Capacity - Page  - [62]-[66]
  • Are the Shelter Beds Accessible? - Page  - [#] - [#]
  • Does the Charter Apply? - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Section 7 of the Charter - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Section 7 and the History of the “Right to Shelter” Cases - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Does the By-Law Deprive the Encampment Residents of One of the Protected Section 7 Rights? - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Is the Deprivation in Accordance with the Principles of Fundamental Justice? - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Section 15(1) of the Charter Page # - [120] -[#]
  • Section 1 Analysis - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Section 440 of the Municipal Act - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Remedy- - [144]
  • Disposition - Page # - [#] - [#]
  • Costs - Page # - [160] - [#]​
REgional Council December 15, 2021 - Bylaw review
Regional Council - December 15, 2021
Video below set to begin at:
  • 2:12:50 PDL-LEG-21-70, Policy Review of Region Bylaw 13-050 – Use or Occupation of Region-owned Public Land​
​​
  • The Minutes of the December 15, 2021, meeting of Regional Council approving the Encampment Policy
  • Regional Bylaw 13-050, ​A ByLaw Respecting the Conduct of Persons Entering Upon Buildings, Grounds and Public Transportation Vehicles Owned or Occupied by the Region
Legal Cases Referenced
  • ​Victoria v. Adams - Law Sheet - Poverty and Human Rights Center
  • Nanaimo (City) v. Courtoreille, 2018 BCSC 1629 
  • Black v. Toronto - 152 O.R. (3d) 529 2020 ONSC 6398 - CanLii​
  • ​ Victoria (City) v. Adams, 2008, BCSC, 1363 - CanLii
  • Bamberger v. Vancouver (Board of Parks and Recreation) 2022 BCSC 49 - BCCourts.ca
  • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority v. Brett BCSC 876 - BCCourts.ca
  • Shantz, Prince George (City)  v. Stewart 2021 BCSC 2089 - CanLii
  • Quebec (Attorney General) v. 9147-0732 Quebec Inc., 2020 SCC 32 - CanLii
  • Victoria (City) v. Adams, 2009 BCCA 563 - CanLii
  • Committee for the Commonwealth of Canada v Canada, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 139 - CanLii
  • R. v. Heywood, [1994] 3 S.C.R. 761- CanLii
  • R. v. Monney, 1999 CanLII 678 (SCC), [1999] 1 S.C.R. 652 - CanLii
  • R. v. Michaud, 2015 ONCA 585, 127 O.R. (3d) 81 - Vlex.com
  • Abbotsford (City) v. Shantz, 2015 BCSC 1909​
  • ​Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation v. Williams, 2014 BCSC 1926
  • ​British Columbia v. Adamson, 2016 BCSC 584 
  • British Columbia v. Adamson, 2016 BCSC 1245 
  • ​Poff v. City of Hamilton, 2021 ONSC 7224​​
  • R. v. Morgentaler, [1988] 1 S.C.R. 30
  • ​R. v. Parker, (2000) 49 O.R. (3d) 481 - Vlex.com
  • Fleming v. Reid (1991), 1991 CanLII 2728 (ON CA) - Vlex.com
  • ​Godbout v. Longueuil (City), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 844​
  • Carter v. Canada (Attorney General), 2015 SCC 5, [2015] 1 SCR 331 [Carter]
Provincial Acts & Charter Sections

​Provincial Acts

  • Section 440 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 - "Power to restrain"​​
  • Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25
  • Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990



​Charter of Rights

  • Charter Rights: Section 7 (right to life, liberty and security of person)
  • Charter Rights: Section 15 (equality)
  • Section 32(1) Canadian Charter of Right and Freedoms -  "Application of the Charter"​​
  • ​Section 52(1) Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - "The Supremacy Clause"
  • Section 24(1)  Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - "Remedies"

“It’s an incredible decision for our clients and all the people in Ontario experiencing homelessness.” - Shannon Down, Executive Director of Waterloo Region Community Legal Services pic.twitter.com/EC9adozD9z

— Waterloo Region Community Legal Services (@WRLegalServices) January 30, 2023

​Local support Services:

  • Waterloo Region Community Legal Services ​
  • Mary's Place
  • St. John’s Kitchen
  • Consumption and Treatment Services - Sanguen
  • Saugeen Health Centre
  • The Working Centre
  • ​​Lutherwood Housing Services
  • YWCA
  • House of Friendship
  • Cambridge Shelter Corp. (Bridges)
  • oneROOF
  • Safe Haven​​



​Additional Information: 

  • Project Willlow - The Feminist Shift​​​
  • Greater Sudbury Encampment Responses Guide - October 1. 2021​
  • Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network
  • Canadian Observatory on Homelessness - Homelesshub.ca
  • UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Affordable Housing - unhousingrapp.org
  • Pan-Canadian Women’s Housing and Homelessness Survey
  • 2020 Survey conducted by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, titled “Focus on Safe Supply”
  • ​Jeremy Waldron, “Homelessness and Community” - HomelessHub.ca​​
  • A Summary of the Region of Waterloo's Encampment Decision - By Tod Duncan, May 2023 - Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA)

“It’s an incredible decision for our clients and all the people in Ontario experiencing homelessness.”
- @shannon_down of the exemplary @WRLegalServices

fyi: @pivotlegal @cathyacrowe @ZoeDodd

Full decision c/o @JoeyColeman : https://t.co/xQAxZmtDPc https://t.co/MeH1ezJQZH

— michael parkinson (@Parkinson4WR) January 27, 2023

In the News: 

  • ​Warming centres at Waterloo Region buildings open seven days a week - TheRecord.com
  • Judge rejects region's request to evict Victoria Street encampment - City News
  • Court rules Region of Waterloo can't evict people from encampment due to lack of shelter space - CBC News
  • Court ruling blocking Kitchener, Ont., encampment eviction could affect cases across Canada, say legal experts - CBC News
  • 'I'm very happy about the decision': Resident reacts to judge dismissing region's bid for encampment injunction - CTV News
  • Opinion: An Ontario ruling defending those living in encampments is only a partial victory - The Globe and Mail
  • Judge dismisses Region's bid for encampment injunction - CTV News
  • ​Court rules Waterloo Region cannot evict people from camp due to lack of shelter - Canada Today
  • Judge says region cannot evict encampments - Cambridge Today

An Ontario ruling defending those living in encampments is only a partial victory https://t.co/9UqFbzzPia

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) January 31, 2023
​​
  • A ‘precedent-setting’ decision halts encampment clearing - The Star​​
  • ​Judge says region cannot evict encampments -CambridgeToday.ca
  • City of Kitchener finding best options for supporting residents displaced by development - City News Kitchener
  • ​Displaced by development: Kitchener to explore ways to help tenants who lose their homes  - TheRecord.com​​
  • Concerns linger over recent Cambridge encampment fire as rebuilding begins - Cambridge Today
  • Despite frigid temperatures, many still choose tents over shelters - Cambridge Today
  • Regional bylaw may need more than a rewrite to allow eviction of encampment residents - CityNews Kitchener

UPDATED: Judge says region can’t evict tent city residents, for now https://t.co/RGhwyaPeeK via @wr_record

— Paige Desmond (@DesmondRecord) January 27, 2023

  • ​​Hybrid shelter near Waterloo-Wilmot border causing concerns for close neighbours - CityNews Kitchener
  • ​Regional bylaw may need more than a rewrite to allow eviction of encampment residents - CityNews Kitchener
  • ​Judge rejects region's request to evict Victoria Street encampment -CityNews Kitchener
  • "Neighbours raise concerns over drug use at managed encampment on Erbs Road (42:03)" - Tuesday January 31st, 2023- The Mike Farwell Show - CityNews Kitchener
  • "Court rules Region can't evict encampment residents (20:09)"- Monday January 30th 2023- The Mike Farwell Show - CityNews Kitchener
  • ​Opening of region run outdoor shelter in Waterloo moved to March -CityNews Kitchener​
  • A really difficult case to win': Southwestern Ont. judge rules encampment can stay in Kitchener - CTV News

Shannon Down and Ashley Schuitema spoke to CTV News about the encampment court decision as "a significant precedent" and "first of its kind in Ontario."https://t.co/4lt0s0qJQB

— Waterloo Region Community Legal Services (@WRLegalServices) January 31, 2023

"Around here" related Info Pages
  • Victoria and Weber encampment: My "nickel" June 2, 2022​
  • Regional Community Services Committee Meeting October 4, 2022
  • Regional Council Meeting August 18, 2022
  • August 9, 2022 Regional Community Services Committee Meeting
  • Regional Council Meeting June 22, 2022​​
  • As we start having more of the difficult conversations surrounding Unsheltered lives
  • Proposed November 17th, 2021 to Regional Council in seeking temporary solution to homeless displacement - ​Content and related links
    • Looking more at Unsheltered displacement - Blog Post 25/11/21
    • Love, compassion, and positive action! - Blog Post 28/11/21
    • Regional Council discusses the recent encampment displacement - Update - 29/11/21​
  • November 9, 2021 Committee of the Whole Regional Council
    • Point In Time Count​
  • December 8th, 2021: 2022 Region of Waterloo Plan and Budget meetings
  • December 15th, 2021: Plan & Budget Development meetings
  • ​Unsheltered Campaign: Letters and Recent Engagements
  • Living Rough - Encampments
  • Living Rough: Washrooms​
  • ​​The Criminalization of Homelessness
  • Housing: A Human Right

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