Legal clinic claims ambulance unable to access Kitchener encampment for medical call, region rejects allegation

An advocate for residents at a Kitchener encampment says a security vehicle blocked an EMS vehicle during an emergency. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains.

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services alleges first responders were delayed in responding to an urgent medical call at Kitchener’s biggest homeless encampment because they were blocked by a security vehicle.

The Region of Waterloo, however, disputes their version of events.

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services, or WRCLS, is a non-profit organization providing free legal services to low-income individuals. They said paramedics were called to 100 Victoria Street North on Thursday for a drug poisoning.

“In situations like this, minutes count,” WRCLS said in a media release. “Tragically, emergency treatment was delayed because access to the encampment was blocked by the on-site security services vehicle, forcing EMS to park in the road.”

People living at the encampment also told CTV News they asked security officers to move the vehicle before emergency crews arrived on scene.

WRCLS said the resident did get first aid but, ultimately, died.

The incident raised serious concerns for the organization.

“The blocking of the driveway entrance to the encampment is a recent change,” they alleged. “Previously, it was the long-term practice of security services to park in the parking lot directly west of the encampment.”

Region responds

CTV News reached out to the Region of Waterloo for comment.

They denied the claims made by WRCLS.

“While we cannot share confidential health information related to an individual, we can confirm that paramedic services provided an immediate response to the call and were able to access the site with no delay, as has always been the case,” they said in an email to CTV News. “False allegations made in a misleading statement issued by Waterloo Region Community Legal Services earlier today are serious, harmful and unfounded. The Region of Waterloo is reviewing all options to prevent misinformation.”

Waterloo Regional Police also responded to the drug poisoning call but said, out of respect for those involved, they would not share any further details.

Encampment residents speak out

Residents at the encampment were still coming to terms with the death on Friday.

“It sucks that we have to deal with this,” said Aaron Price.

“The sorrow that was here on-site yesterday was just palpable. People were very, very upset, including the person’s partner,” explained WRCLS Executive Director Ashley Schuitema. “There were lots of people here that are feeling very frustrated that the EMS couldn’t get into the lot because the entryway was blocked.”

Price has lived at the encampment for several years.

He said what happened Thursday was not an isolated incident.

“Any medical emergency that happens here, they don’t let them on site,” Price claimed.

Regional council passed a bylaw last month that allowed them to clear the encampment by Dec. 1 so work could begin on its planned transit hub.

• MORE: How Waterloo Region and Guelph dealt with the homelessness issue in 2024

“The vehicle used to be parked in the lot beside but the since the bylaw has passed, security has been physically blocking the space,” Schuitema alleged.

“People can’t get in with vehicles or anything on site with water, food, clothing or tents,” said Price.

As for Schuitema’s concerns, they stretch beyond Thursday’s incident.

“I think what happened yesterday is certainly linked to the closure of the CTS site,” she said. “I think it’s unfortunate and something that we’re going to see happening more frequently.”

In the meantime, WRCLS promised it would keep pushing for change.

“I’m asking people to write to their councillors and ask that this vehicle be moved, because vehicle access to this site is essential for many, many reasons,” Schuitema said.