Homeless camp cleanup starts today

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This article was published 09/06/2020 (1563 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CLEANUP of the Point Douglas homeless encampments at the centre of threatened legal action against the city is to begin this morning — with an order to vacate to be enforced Friday.

According to a spokeswoman for End Homelessness Winnipeg, “Starting at 9:30 a.m., a multi-agency cleanup effort will begin, in collaboration with residents, to remove unwanted or discarded items from the two sites.”

“(Charitable community health agency) Main Street Project will provide supervised units for safe storage of any belongings at individuals’ request. The city will provide a large bin for residents to discard unwanted items and trash,” Kristiana Clemens, manager, communications and community relations with the non-profit organization, wrote in a Tuesday night email to the Free Press.

On June 2, a lawyer for the Manitoba Metis Federation sent a letter to Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman outlining safety concerns expressed by staff who work at the federation’s office on Henry Avenue, due to a nearby encampment.

MMF will take “all necessary legal action,” including holding the City of Winnipeg financially responsible for security and property damage costs, should the issue not be addressed, the letter stated.

“Based on a request heard from encampment residents for clarity on the city’s plans and timeline, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will attend the sites (Wednesday) morning… to share an order to vacate by Friday afternoon, for reasons of public health and safety outlined under the Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act,” Clemens wrote.

“(Camp) residents will be provided with information identifying currently available options for shelter and basic needs. End Homelessness Winnipeg is also actively connecting and strategizing with community partners to be able to offer further accommodation alternatives before Friday.”