An Ontario judge’s recent ruling preventing the Region of Waterloo from evicting individuals living in a homeless encampment is “cockamamie,” said Premier Doug Ford on Friday.
Justice Michael R. Gibson stated in a decision released Thursday that a local bylaw meant to allow the region to remove around two dozen homeless individuals from a parking lot encampment infringes on their rights as outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The 100 Victoria St. encampment has existed since 2021, when thousands of homeless individuals left shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic and set up camp outside across the province.
The region has contended that the parking lot is essential for starting construction on the Kitchener Central Transit Hub later this year. This hub will offer bus and light rail service, along with a GO Transit station and a Via Rail stop.
Ford described Gibson’s ruling as “the most ridiculous ruling I’ve ever seen,” arguing that it prioritizes the rights of just a few dozen people over millions of future transit users.
“He comes out with this cockamamie idea that they’re gonna hold up transit, so for what, 30 people, they’re going to hold up millions and millions of riders, communities and everything,” Ford said at an unrelated press conference in Sault Ste. Marie.
“The judge is saying that we got to hold up projects and everything,” he added. “I wish I could get that guy’s address, I’ll send 50 encampments in his backyard and see how he likes it.”
The judge deemed the bylaw unconstitutional and invalid.
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