Soper Park encampment eviction delayed by a day

A stay of eviction, albeit brief, for residents of an encampment in Cambridge’s Soper Park.

People living at the encampment near the Elgin Street pedestrian tunnel in the north end of the park had previously been told they had to move on by Wednesday morning though advocates claim CP rail, which owns the land the encampment sits on, has instead opted to offer a short extension.

“These individuals received an eviction notice after hours Friday evening, placed at their location. This notice indicated that they needed to be gone by Wednesday morning so we’re here today trying to do our best to make that happen,” said Regan Sunshine Brusse, an anti-poverty and housing advocate.

She continued though to note, based on the number of people still living at the encampment as of Wednesday morning, it’s not a quick or simple process.

It also comes after, last month, the Region shut down another encampment at 150 Main St. in Cambridge.

At that time, the Region said it had found housing for all those still living there though it’s since become clear at least some of those residents are the same ones now living in Soper Park.

Advocates also note a court ruling from earlier this year which limits municipal authority to force people out of an encampment if there’s nowhere for them to go.

Photos from the area Wednesday also showed heavy machinery, including an excavator, had been brought in to potentially help clear away what was left behind.

That, a striking similarity to a previous encampment eviction in Kitchener in which a bulldozer was used, sparking a great deal of public pushback.

The issue is also expected to come up at a Regional council meeting Wednesday evening with a number of delegates scheduled to speak.