The Region of Waterloo has racked up more than $1.7 million in legal fees to defend its controversial encampment bylaw. Simon Guthrie, a candidate running for regional council in the upcoming municipal election, filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request on the cost of litigation. He shared those details with CTV News on Thursday. One document given to Guthrie showed $1,695,006.13 was billed by Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP, a boutique litigation firm based out of Toronto, for what was only described as “encampment issues.” The invoice covered the 14-month period between April 30, 2025 and May 31, 2026. Another document showed the region paid more than $27,113.10 to Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, the organization representing encampment residents, for costs associated with an injunction motion. Encampment bylaw Regional councillors voted in favour of the encampment bylaw in April 2025. The goal was to evict residents at 100 Victoria Street North so crews could begin work related to the construction of the upcoming Kitchener Central Transit Hub. Lawyers for Waterloo Region Community Legal Services fought against the site-specific bylaw, arguing it was unconstitutional. On May 22, 2026, a judge ruled against the region in Ontario Superior Court. “The encampment is currently the only place in the region where it is not illegal for homeless people to set up a tent or structure,” Justice Michael Gibson wrote in his decision. “The region has clearly stated that if the encampment is cleared, it is not prepared to allow homeless people to shelter outdoors anywhere on region property. The extremity of this position is what ultimately drives the findings that the infringements are not saved by [the Charter].” The Region of Waterloo and Government of Ontario announced their intention to appeal the ruling that same day. In court filings, they accused the judge of exceeding the court’s constitutional role and making “multiple errors of law.” Mounting costs The invoice submitted by Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP only covers legal fees between the time when the encampment bylaw was passed and the conclusion of the court case in May. It does not include legal fees stemming from the region’s appeal, or the time spent by regional staff to prepare for the proceedings. The region also went court in 2023 in an effort to clear 100 Victoria Street North. The judge also ruled, in a precedent-setting decision, that an eviction would violate the Charter rights of residents. The region said in April 2023 it had spent $168,842 on those court proceedings. Other costs have yet to be tallied up, including policing, outreach and cleanup efforts. Legal fight and FOI CTV News reached out to the region for comment on the information shared in the FOI. “The Region of Waterloo obtained external legal advice as part of the work to advance the Kitchener Central Transit Hub project, a critical, long-term investment in the community’s future,” a statement said. They also reiterated that clearing 100 Victoria Street North was “required to support construction.” “Court proceedings have been ongoing to obtain vacant possession of the property, and the region is appealing the Ontario Superior Court decision of May 2026,” they wrote. “The case has implications not only for the region, but also potentially for other municipalities across Ontario.” The region’s statement did not address the invoices. CTV News also asked Waterloo Region Community Legal Services to weigh in on the climbing encampment costs. “These significant public funds have been spent as a result of policy choices made by regional government, while people experiencing homelessness continue to be left without adequate solutions and forced to sleep outdoors,” their statement said. “As an organization dedicated to supporting people living in poverty, Waterloo Region Community Legal Services believes that public funds would be better spent on solutions that actually house people.” “Lawyers are not cheap” Guthrie’s interest in the encampment started ahead of the 2022 municipal election, when he was running to represent Ward 1 in Kitchener. He ultimately lost that seat to incumbent Scott Davey. This past April, Guthrie said he went to Ontario Superior Court to hear the arguments being made for and against the bylaw. “At one point, during those three days of arguments, I counted 21 lawyers in the courtroom,” he recalled. “There were so many lawyers that they had to seat some of them in the jury box.” Those lawyers represented the region, residents and other interested parties in the matter. Guthrie said that really stuck with him. “Lawyers are not cheap,” he explained. “It started a process in my head, thinking, ‘How much are we actually spending on this? What’s the financial cost to the region, to the other organizations that are involved in this?’” When the region decided to appeal the court ruling, Guthrie took action. “I thought, well, this could go on forever, so I put in a Freedom of Information request that day,” he said. “The ask was, ‘How much has the region spent on lawyers’ fees?’” Guthrie hopes that information will spark conversations outside council chambers. “I want people in Kitchener, and across Waterloo Region, to understand what this lawsuit is costing us,” he said. Guthrie is seeking a spot on regional council in the 2026 municipal election. The other candidates running to become one of Kitchener’s regional councillors are: Kim Huxted, Joe Gowing, Colleen James, Michael Harris, Matt Rodrigues, Michael Wisniewski, Anna Meksavanh, Eve Elizabeth Simson, Kevin White, Mac Graham and Ed Edwards. With reporting from Krista Simpson
