Tent encampment at Regina City Hall continues to grow

A resident at the tent encampment on the City of Regina Courtyard shares her experience of what it's like being a resident inside the camp.

Nearly a month after the first tent went up in front of Regina city hall, more tents have appeared. What started as a movement to draw attention to the issue of homelessness has grown into an encampment, highlighting the need for support and housing.

A camp resident says the first week at camp was a breeze until cooler and wet weather conditions hit.

“It was nice … and then there’s a rainstorm. Then I woke up the next morning and there’s like makeshift tents all over the place,” said Pynk Mitton. “We don’t have the necessity to properly tie everything down with shoelaces or whatever we could find.”

Mitton said people have set up at the encampment for safety and shelter.

“This was mainly meant for the women to feel safer within the community,” said Mitton. “Some of us struggle with addiction. So, one of the major addictions is fentanyl.“

Mitton said the tent encampment is a safe area for residents to engage in their addiction but it’s also a place where people can strive for sobriety. Other resources come into the tent encampment to do wellness checks on the residents.

Camp residents had hoped to meet with the mayor and city council, but Mitton claims a group of them were escorted out during a city hall meeting where the public was welcomed to attend.

“Mayor has not responded … she does not care,” said Mitton. “I was floored.”