Mc Vicars Creek Homeless Encampment in October 2025 THUNDER BAY – LOCAL POLITICS – Thunder Bay City Council is making progress on tackling the city’s housing and homelessness issues by moving ahead with a plan to set up three designated encampment sites for final approval. To better manage public spaces and assist vulnerable populations, the council has pinpointed three areas as official encampments: Freedom Park, Current River Park, and a site along Simpson Street that’s currently in use. Residents have voiced their frustrations regarding certain encampment locations, and local businesses nearby are worried as incidents of shoplifting, panhandling, and violence have become more frequent.
Homeless Encampment at Mc Vicars Creek in April 2026. This contrasts to the location in October.
This targeted approach to homelessness is expected to involve collaboration with the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB).
Councillor Kasey Taylor Etreni states, “Last night, Council made a strong decision with a majority vote to move forward with three designated temporary encampment sites as part of the next phase of our 10-part plan addressing homelessness and community safety.
“I know not everyone will agree with the locations chosen, and I understand the concerns being raised. However, the current situation is not working for anyone – not for those who are unhoused, and not for nearby neighbourhoods and businesses. With over 15 unmanaged encampment sites early last summer, and numbers continued to grow throughout the summer. we cannot return to that level of disruption in our community.”
Earlier city documents estimated fencing and privacy screening for all three sites would cost about $200,000 plus HST, with another estimated $15,000 plus HST for cold-rated and fire-rated pallets. Staff previously warned that these costs could impact other capital projects including how quickly Mission Island Bridge can be built.
The broader policy direction aligns with Thunder Bay’s Enhanced Encampment Response Plan. The city says this plan takes a human-rights approach by recognizing encampments as a result of larger housing shortages, income inequality, and health system strains while aiming to enhance safety as longer-term solutions are developed.
By concentrating these living spaces into specific designated areas, the city hopes to tackle both public space management challenges and ongoing housing crises. In recent years, counts of homeless or unhoused individuals in Thunder Bay have been rising steadily.
The plan is now waiting for final approval from city council.
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