Local advocacy groups concerned about plan to crack down on homeless encampments

New homeless encampment measures Ontario is promising new measures for municipalities to dismantle homeless encampments and crack down on public drug use.

The Ontario government introduced new legislation Thursday, that if passed, will provide municipalities and police with new tools to dismantle homeless encampments and crack down on illegal drug use in parks and public spaces.

"Enough is enough. This has to stop, and it will stop," said Premier Doug Ford, joined by numerous mayors and community leaders from the across the province at a press conference in Toronto Thursday morning.

"Families deserve to play in and enjoy their parks and playgrounds without fearing for the safety of their kids."

The proposed legislation includes stronger trespass laws and fines or jail time for repeat offenders.

"Police will have the new tools to direct individuals to stop the use of illegal drugs, or to leave the public space with fines of up to $10,000 and up to six months in prison for people who repeatedly use illegal drugs in parks and public spaces," Ford said.

There are currently 2,000 people living in shelters and on the streets in Ottawa. Local homeless advocates say dismantling encampments will further alienate the city's homeless population.

The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa says 2023 marked the highest numbers on record in Ottawa’s shelter system, with roughly 10 per cent of people being employed.

"(People living in encampments) have nothing and they're living in an encampment because that's the best they can do to survive," said Lowertown Community Association president Sylvie Bigras.

"To fine them and punish them is not very productive. Most of the homeless we deal with, we know them by face and by name and say, 'All I need is a room with a door that locks, that's all I want.'"

The Ottawa Mission CEO Peter Tilley says there are challenges with people living in encampments but hopes the province looks at other solutions.

"The millions being pledged towards shelter services, that's a solution to homelessness. That's a solution to people who suffer from mental health and addiction issues. Going into encampments, busting them up and charging people is not necessarily an answer to those who are suffering and in a position where they've had to live in encampments," Tilley said.

The Ford government says it is also considering allowing the courts to provide rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration for minor or non-violent drug crimes. Ford has also said he is willing to use the notwithstanding clause if the courts interfere in municipalities using the new provisions.

The legislation also proposes providing $50 million to fund ready-to-build affordable housing, $20 million toward expanding shelter capacity and additional temporary accommodation spaces. The province also wants to spend $5.5 million to top up the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) and immediately free-up emergency shelter spaces.

It’s unclear when these measures could take effect as the Ontario legislature is set to rise Thursday for its winter break and won't resume until March 2025.