Dear City of Cambridge...
(CC: Region of Waterloo)
RE: Cambridge Encampment Evictions (Heatwave June 2025)
More of my thoughts and ramblings on this topic... Convieniently posted and published in no particular order!
Across the divide: Challenges of Navigating a Dual-Tier Municipal System
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Photo below:
Cambridge, July 15, 2025 
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We really need a better approach between the levels of our local dual-tier municipal government when it comes to housing instability and the relative use of public property as a space for people to survive.
On one end, all local municipalities control portions of public property and land and wield the power to enforce regulations (such as those within their bylaws) to effuctuate encampment evictions. On the other, the Region of Waterloo, as housing services managers for our area, are tasked with supporting the individuals being displaced. It's a jurisdictional tug-of-war, where people experiencing homelessness land caught in the middle. |
Overlapping responsibilities, unclear roles, and conflicting approaches between City and Regional bodies can add barriers and friction to moments like these. The many points of overlap combined with local policy gaps have us in need of improved coordination and tools. Navigating these situations in crisis moments can be, quite frankly, re-donkey-ulous. Strengthening this coordination is essential for our community to respond effectively.
Local News coverageCity urged by federal housing advocate not to evict homeless encampments during heat waves
Cambridge Today Motion to discuss encampment evictions scrubbed from Cambridge agenda
Record News via Cambridge Times |
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The City could also simply forgo forcing eviction under these bylaws, even if it is not willing to explicitly permit the encampments themselves.
*Intended* to be expanded on for this page (notes to self if nil else):
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RElated resources
List of Service Managers - Canada.ca
Other "nickels" in this "jar" :
City of Cambridge initiating
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