Ontario and the Region of Waterloo say they are appealing a court decision that prevents them from clearing a homelessness encampment in Kitchener. According to multiple reports, a judge ruled last month that a bylaw created to allow the region to remove about two dozen people from the encampment violates Charter rights. The decision blocks the use of the bylaw to proceed with removal from the site.
The encampment is described as being located at 100 Victoria St. on a property the government says is slated for other purposes, and the province and region are seeking to overturn the ruling. The Region of Waterloo and Ontario have announced their intention to appeal the court order, which halted the clearing of people staying on the land.
While the court ruling stops the encampment removal at present, the governments’ appeal keeps the matter active in the legal system, with further proceedings expected to determine whether the removal can proceed under the challenged bylaw and its Charter implications.
