Protesters rally in support of ‘tent city’ residents, attempt to breach Roos Island blockade

A protest was held in Victoria Park on Thursday, with those in attendance calling for better housing solutions and supports for people experiencing homelessness. It was staged a day after it was announced that access to Roos Island, and the encampment located there, was gated off.

The City of Kitchener said the six people who have been living in tents on the island have been offered interim housing options, and that most accepted the offer and are moving in the next few days.

A statement from the city cited scheduled maintenance to Roos Island and the Heritage Bridge this spring and summer, and the desire to restore the island to its intended use as a public space.

“Staff will continue to work with any remaining campers to secure alternative housing. New campers will not be allowed to set up on the island or elsewhere in Victoria Park, ” read the City of Kitchener statement.

Video from the Victoria Park protest showed some attendees attempting to force open the gated blockade to the Roos Island entrance shortly before 11:30 a.m.

Security and a police officer then stopped the protesters from crossing the Roland Street bridge. The city had stated Wednesday that access to Roos Island would be temporarily limited and managed by security in order to protect the tent city residents’ privacy during their transition period.

Several community advocates, including those with the Unsheltered Campaign have spoken out against the city’s actions. A joint media release read in part, “We call on the City of Kitchener to stop evicting people from parks and public spaces until enough accessible and adequate housing is available.”

The advocates also raised concerns about unsheltered residents’ Charter rights being violated by any eviction. That’s in reference to the January dismissal of the Region of Waterloo’s attempt to clear the encampment at 100 Victoria Street in Kitchener. Justice Valente ruled the region did not have enough adequate, accessible shelter spaces for the individuals living there and that an eviction of that site under regional by-law would violate the residents’ rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

While no firm date has been announced yet, the Region of Waterloo’s first managed hybrid outdoor shelter is set to open on Erbs Road in the coming days.

Protesters break the gate at Roland Bridge that is blocking access to the tent community on Roos Island @CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/IUrNMP6nUM

— Brandon Maher (@BrandonCityNews) April 27, 2023