The provincial government has put the wheels in motion to end the tent encampment at Colonial Building.
Signs have been erected at the encampment indicating that “unauthorized structures and property will be removed by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.” The sign ends with a number to call for those experiencing homelessness.
Minister John Abbott says a fire that occurred a few weeks ago prompted the department to look at how safety at the site managed, and they’ve concluded that “it is not appropriate to have tents at the site.”
Abbott says they have several concerns about safety at the site, and notes that both the neighbourhood and the nearby school have come forward with concerns as well.
He says as for now they are asking that the signs be respected—staff will be removing abandoned tents, but they are not at the point of forcibly removing people yet.
Abbott notes that they have consulted with community groups on the move and he believes everyone is of the mindset that it is no longer acceptable to have the tent encampment. Abbott says they are going to focus on the housing options brought up by Housing Minister Fred Hutton, but “at some point that tent encampment has to close. There’s no doubt in my mind on that.”
The Housing Minister has reiterated on numerous occasions that housing options are actively being offered to people at the site.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn says government’s move has left him “angry,” noting that the options Minister Hutton references “aren’t really there.”
Dinn says he’s angry that the solution is to move people out, asking “where are they going to go?” He questions how the move will make things safer for those living in the tents and for the general public.