Kitchener-Waterloo

Police, bylaw won't be on site of Kitchener encampment on eviction day, region says

The Region of Waterloo said it doesn't plan to have bylaw or police at the site of a Kitchener encampment on June 30, the day people have been told they're required to leave the property. About 60 people have set up tents and are living on the Victoria Street property.

If people don't comply, 'region may need to seek direction from the courts on next steps'

The Region of Waterloo has told people at an encampment in downtown Kitchener to vacate the property by June 30. The number of people living in tents at the site has grown to more than 50 people in the last few months. (Hala Ghonaim/CBC)

There are no plans to have bylaw or police on the site of an encampment in Kitchener on June 30, the day people have been told they're required to leave the property.

An eviction notice was placed on the site earlier this month and it says people staying at the encampment would need to leave by June 30.

"We expect that individuals will comply with the notice to vacate the site on June 30 and we are committed to ensuring the site is vacated in a safe manner," a spokesperson with the region said in an email to CBC News.

Regional staff are not expected to be on site either.

"If individuals do not comply with the notice to vacate, the region may need to seek direction from the courts on next steps," the spokesperson added.

The eviction notice came after the camp grew to more than 50 people, which raised concerns around safety, the region said.

In May, the region came to an agreement with The Working Centre to provide washroom facilities for people at St. John's Kitchener across the street.

New emergency shelter

The region said it continues to work with outreach workers to make sure people at the site are aware of the different supports available to them and have provided temporary storage for people.

A new emergency overnight shelter is scheduled to open Friday on Stirling Avenue at the site of the former Edith MacIntosh Child Care Centre.

The Working Centre will run the shelter and accommodate 60 people seven nights a week. The shelter will be open to people of all gender identities, couples and it will allow pets.