Ontario Premier Doug Ford called a recent decision by an Ontario Superior Court judge, which stops the Region of Waterloo from clearing the encampment at 100 Victoria St. N. in Kitchener, “the most ridiculous ruling I’ve ever seen.”
Ford made these comments while in Sault Ste. Marie for a steel production funding announcement Friday afternoon after being asked about the ruling.
He mentioned that he had spoken with regional chair Karen Redman and other local mayors Thursday night following the release of the decision.
“Don’t get me wrong. I have a great deal of respect for our judges … but he comes out with this cockamamie idea that they’re going to hold up … transit, for what, 30 people? They’re going to hold up millions and millions of riders, communities and everything saying you can’t go in there, you can’t touch them.”
“I wish I could get that guy’s address. I’ll send 15 encampments in his backyard and see how he likes it. The craziest decision I’ve ever heard. But there are a lot of crazy decisions coming from our courts lately,” Ford said.
‘A good feeling’: Kitchener encampment residents react after court rules they can stay
Residents and advocates have responded following an Ontario judge’s ruling allowing residents of a Kitchener encampment to remain where they are. The judgment delivered Thursday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice stated that the Region of Waterloo cannot remove individuals living at this downtown encampment as it violates their Charter rights. CBC’s Carmen Groleau spoke with residents on Friday.
The Region of Waterloo councillors approved a specific bylaw for this encampment near the Kitchener train station back in April 2025 and updated it this past January aiming to relocate people off-site by April 1 this year.
However, Justice Michael R. Gibson’s ruling on Thursday indicated that clearing out the camp would only be permissible if all homeless individuals were provided housing or if a protocol was created allowing tenting on certain regional properties.
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Encampment timeline began 5 years ago
Tents at the Kitchener encampment first appeared in late 2021. The number of individuals living at the site has varied throughout the year, increasing during warmer months. The region attempted to clear residents from the site in 2022. In January 2023, a Kitchener judge ruled that the region couldn’t evict people unless they provided them with alternative housing. The region argues it needs access to the property in June for Metrolinx construction crews who will be raising train tracks before building a new transit hub at King and Victoria streets. In 2024, some mayors urged Ford to use the notwithstanding clause to clear homeless encampments. In June 2025, the Ontario government enacted the Safer Municipalities Act aimed at enhancing safety in parks and public areas. Simultaneously, they announced an investment of $75.5 million for homelessness prevention efforts and providing those living in encampments with access to “reasonable alternative accommodation.” WATCH | Kitchener encampment residents react after court rules they can stay:
‘A good feeling’: Kitchener encampment residents react after court rules they can stay
Residents and advocates have responded following an Ontario judge’s ruling allowing residents of a Kitchener encampment to remain where they are. The judgment delivered Thursday at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice stated that the Region of Waterloo cannot remove individuals living at this downtown encampment as it violates their Charter rights. CBC’s Carmen Groleau spoke with residents on Friday.
The Region of Waterloo councillors approved a specific bylaw for this encampment near the Kitchener train station back in April 2025 and updated it this past January aiming to relocate people off-site by April 1 this year.
However, Justice Michael R. Gibson’s ruling on Thursday indicated that clearing out the camp would only be permissible if all homeless individuals were provided housing or if a protocol was created allowing tenting on certain regional properties.
Region reviewing judge’s decision
A spokesperson for the region confirmed in a statement to that Redman talked with Ford and other local municipal leaders Thursday night “regarding the court decision and broader challenges municipalities face related to homelessness, encampments, and community safety.” “The discussion reinforced how important coordinated support and shared solutions across all levels of government is,” it stated.“The region is carefully reviewing this decision while continuing collaboration with provincial and municipal partners on next steps that are compassionate, practical, and legally compliant.”
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