A court hearing originally scheduled for next month regarding the Region of Waterloo’s plans to relocate individuals from an encampment at 100 Victoria St. N., in Kitchener has now been postponed until February.
The region explains that this change is due to all parties involved in the Superior Court case agreeing to enter mediation.
Tents began appearing at the 100 Victoria St. encampment in early 2022. The region tried to evict people from the site later that same year, but a Kitchener judge ruled in 2023 that they couldn’t do so without providing alternative housing options first.
This past April, regional council approved a specific bylaw for 100 Victoria St. N., which would enable the region to clear the area. According to the region, Metrolinx needs access to the property as it plans on raising tracks for a new transit hub at the intersection of King Street and Victoria Street.
The bylaw prohibits anyone from living on or using the site at 100 Victoria St. N. after December 1.
A Superior Court hearing was set for November 19-21 to seek direction regarding the bylaw and how it relates to the previous court ruling from 2023.
In August, both the region and representatives for encampment residents appeared before Justice Michael Gibson, where lawyers stated that those living there felt pressured by the region to leave.
Gibson decided that the region could not enforce the bylaw until after the scheduled Superior Court hearing on November 19-21.
The region mentioned that mediation shouldn’t cause any delays for the Kitchener transit hub project.
“Mediation will allow for engagement, clarification, and we hope expedited resolution of issues,” said a release from the region on Thursday.
The region continues its efforts to assist individuals at the encampment in finding alternate housing solutions.
“Over the last several months, region staff have visited the site daily to work closely with residents on their individual housing plans,” stated officials from the region on Thursday.
As of October 17, four original residents still remain at this location alongside an additional 32 newcomers.
One of those participating in mediation will be Waterloo Region Community Legal Services. In a statement provided, they expressed satisfaction with “the fact that mediation has been proposed as any human rights based approach involves engaging those living at the encampment in dialogue about what they need.”
The statement added that “the region has a plan to end chronic homelessness infused with voices from our community and lived experts.”
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