Regional council passes bylaw to clear Kitchener encampment for new transit hub

The encampment on Victoria Street North will be cleared by December to make room for a new transit hub.

Waterloo Regional council has passed a bylaw to clear the encampment at Victoria and Weber Streets ahead of the construction of a new regional transit hub.

The bylaw was approved after several delegations, hours of discussion and debate at a council meeting Wednesday night.

The goal is to clear the encampment by December and find alternative housing for the roughly 35 people who call the encampment home.

“Region staff have developed a plan to transition residents into alternative housing with an increased allocation of resources and supports,” said a media release by the Region of Waterloo.

Metrolinx is expected to take over next spring when transit hub construction is set to begin.

In 2023, a judge ruled the region could not evict encampment residents from the property as it didn’t have adequate shelter spaces to offer them as an alternative.

According to the region, they have supported residents at the encampment since December 2021.

“These supports include connections with outreach staff and Ontario Works caseworkers, regular cleaning and site maintenance, pest control, portable washrooms, lighting, and other health and safety interventions. Security has been provided 24/7 since the Spring of 2022,” said the region’s media release.

The region said these services will continue at the encampment during the transition phase.

Transit hub

The Kitchener Centre Transit Hub has been in development since 2013.

The region said it will offer connections to GRT and ION Light Rail, GO Transit bus and rail services, VIA rail, intercity buses, active transportation, car shares, and pedestrian trails.

“The Kitchener Central Transit Hub is a generational investment in Waterloo Region. A central, easy to access transit hub is essential for a growing community like ours,” said Doug Spooner, the acting commissioner of transportation services, in a media release. “Having the site available by March 2026 is the first step in the construction process. We will continue to keep the community informed as this project progresses.”

Community pushback

Before council voted, there was some pushback from the community.

“This site has an existing, binding and enforced court order that establishes constitutional violations related to evictions,” said Ashley Schuitema, a lawyer with Waterloo Region Community Legal Services. “Passing a new bylaw instead of following the procedures set up by the court in the existing order is improper. It has the badges commonly recognized by courts as a bylaw being passed in bad faith and I urge you not to pass this bylaw tonight.”

After Regional Chair Karen Redman announced the vote was carried, people vocally reacted. Some appearing to sound upset by the vote. Redman then asked to take a five-minute break while the gallery emptied out.