Tent removal notices at Victoria Park sparks dispute with homeless advocates
CTV
Tent removal notices issues by the City of Kitchener staff at Victoria Park have sparked a dispute with advocates for those experiencing homelessness.
The city is defending its actions and says it is working with residents to ensure their safety and security.
"So that would mean anybody that is occupying this area would be forced to leave,” said advocate Sean Hubert. "It's actually quite dramatic for that to happen in the middle of winter. They’re not sure where they're gonna go. They haven't been told if there is somewhere for them to go."
In an email to CTV News, the city says three notices were left on tents that appeared abandoned last week as part of the city staff’s daily checks.
The email also says, "if residents are in fact using these tents, they will not be removed."
According to the city, there were about six active tents last week, with fewer than 10 residents living in them.
Daily Victoria Park walkers seemed to notice the same.
