Top regional official apologizes for encampment eviction, commits to review process

There's no question that Waterloo region's approach to clearing an occupied encampment in Kitchener on Friday was wrong, a municipal official says.

During a regional council meeting on Monday, the region's chief administrative officer (CAO) Bruce Lauckner apologized to people impacted by the eviction.

"Our residents deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and on Friday, we failed to do that … Yes, we work to support individuals and to try to connect them to housing and other supports. That being said, there's no question that our approach on Friday was wrong," he said.

"As CAO, I take full accountability. This is not the outcome that anyone wanted or deserved. We need to do better and we will do better. I want to express my deep apologies to the residents harmed by our actions."

The apology comes after the eviction, that involved heavy equipment and police officers on site, sparked public outrage and a call for better supports to tackle homelessness. Advocates gathered in protest at the site of the encampment on Sunday.

On Monday, Lauckner said the region is reviewing the process that led to the eviction and plans on implementing necessary changes. He said that work will start in December.

Several politicians voiced their shock and disappointment in what transpired, including Coun. Sean Strickland.

"I'm just going to say that this was a complete operational and governance breakdown of a disproportionate amount of force used on a vulnerable population by using a front-end loader," Strickland said, and he questioned how the operation was approved without council's knowledge.

He said the process must be reviewed to ensure appropriate approvals from within the organization and council.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, who also serves as a regional councillor, expressed his shock, but thanked regional officials for owning up to their actions.

"I think part of leadership at any time is we often get praise when things go well, but we also need to own it when we need to do better. And today, I think collectively as an organization and as a council, we're saying we need to do better," said Vrbanovic.

"There's a report that will come forward that is going to indicate how that happens," he added.

Watch the full discussion at a regional council meeting on Monday:

Rod Regier, the region's commissioner of planning, development and legislative services, provided a detailed timeline of events leading up to Friday. It's the first time the region has cleared an occupied site.