Petition calls on region to halt encampment evictions
Posted Jun 22, 2022 12:37:00 PM.
An online petition is calling on the region to put a stop to encampment evictions.
As of Wednesday morning, it collected over 300 signatures.
It was launched Monday morning with a 500-signature goal.
The petition is in support of residents at the Weber and Victoria encampment in Kitchener, as well as people living in other Waterloo Region encampments.
Organizers ask the region to implement:
- A stop to all actions to evict encampments
- Allow encampments
- Provide immediate support to alleviate the harms of homelessness
- Work with encampment residents, frontline workers, and supportive communities to create short and long-term solutions
Various community groups have signed onto the petition, including Ground Up WR, Climate Justice Laurier, SPECTRUM, and Community Fridge KW.
Kitchener Centre MPP-elect Laura Mae Lindo and Candidate on Record for the Ontario Green Party Shefaza Esmail signed on as well.
A rally on Wednesday evening in Kitchener is also planned in response to the Weber and Victoria encampment eviction notice.
Community members and organizers will gather at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of King Street West and Benton Street.
Regional Chair Karen Redman provided comment to CityNews 570 ahead of the rally.
She said regional partners and outreach workers have been offering services to the encampment residents for months.
The residents are required to leave or be transferred into alternative housing by 9 a.m. on June 30.
“This is the result of decades of underinvestment, not only in housing, but in mental health supports as well,” said Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice.
