Province shuts down encampment site at centre of investigation citing health and safety risks

Chris Lewis, former OPP commissioner, spoke with CTV News in an exclusive interview elaborating on Barrie Police’s approach in the encampment investigation.

Saturday marks the 10th day in the investigation at a former homeless encampment just outside of Barrie’s downtown core, and the city released a statement after inheriting the area back from police.

“The wooded area between Victoria Street, John Street, and Anne Street South was turned back to the city following a police investigation. The site was secured by city staff [Friday] anticipating the need for significant cleanup,” stated the city in a Saturday morning news release. “The city requested the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) attend the site to conduct an inspection. Following their investigation, the MECP issued an order under the Environmental Protection Act to close the site down. The amount of waste that is on the site poses health and safety risks as well as environmental concerns and must be cleaned and restored.”

The city added that staff are working with the county and other community partners to make sure that anyone affected by the cleanup is provided with shelter and connections to appropriate resources.

The Barrie Police Service (BPS) confirmed on Friday afternoon that investigators ‘released’ the scene to the city, adding that forensic analysis continues to be conducted.

The Cardwell Lake Road area in Huntsville also remains under investigation.

Police have chosen not to share specific details about the investigation, other than it remains ‘isolated’ and ‘ongoing’ under the BPS Major Crime Unit.

Last Saturday, Barrie police arrested the man they say is the primary suspect, Robert Ladouceur, 52, who had been considered armed and dangerous.

He now faces 19 criminal charges, including multiple weapons offenses related to a handgun and fleeing from police.

Ladouceur appeared virtually in court Thursday morning from a holding room at the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

His council will be seeking a date for a special bail hearing.

The allegations against him have not been tested in court.

With files from CTV’s Julianna Balsamo and Luke Simard.