‘We Are Here and Growing’: Encampment Residents Fight On, Two Weeks After City Order To Vacate

Almost two weeks after receiving eviction notices from the City of Barrie, the residents of Milligan's Pond encampment remain there and vow to fight. "We are here and growing,” said Greg, who lost his home and job due to mental illness. In a video interview, he also spoke about his experience with homelessness and the broken promises of support.

Deepak Bidwai, LJI reporter for Simcoe Community Media, spoke to community leader Christine Nayler and resident Jay, who speak out against the eviction and advocate for the rights of the encampment community.

Greg:

Greg, a former outreach worker now residing at Milligan’s Pond encampment in Barrie, Ontario, faces imminent eviction as the city has issued a vacate notice. The encampment, located at an address outside the official park area, serves as a makeshift home for Greg and others experiencing homelessness. Despite previous evictions and relocations, the community finds itself repeatedly displaced without lasting solutions.

In an interview, Greg described the cyclical nature of evictions and the inadequate support from local services, emphasizing the need for more effective and sustainable assistance. The upcoming city cleanup threatens to discard the personal belongings of the encampment's residents, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by those without stable housing.

As the eviction deadline approaches, Greg and his community confront the harsh reality of losing their current living space, highlighting the broader issue of housing insecurity and the necessity for comprehensive, long-term strategies to address homelessness.

With a background in outreach, Greg has been actively involved in community support programs in Barrie. His personal journey through homelessness has been compounded by health issues and the challenge of navigating a complex support system that often prioritizes certain demographics over others.

Christine Nayler: 

Christine Nayler, an advocate from Ryan’s Hope, spoke out against the eviction notices given to 13 residents of an encampment in Barrie. The city issued the notices, giving residents 24 hours to vacate the property. "They don't want to leave. This is their home, and they have nowhere to go," Nayler said. "We're here to challenge this eviction because the City of Barrie knows, the mayor knows, and the city council knows that encampment evictions are now illegal."

Nayler cited a January 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that stated evicting encampment residents violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms if municipalities lack adequate shelter beds. The ruling emphasized that the available beds must be suitable for individuals in need, including those with specific needs such as couples or people with mental health and addiction issues.

"Encampments are communities. (They) give residents a sense of safety, " Nayler explained. She criticized the city's approach of continually moving people from one location to another, describing it as inhumane and ineffective. "We can't just keep on pushing people from park to park," she said. "That doesn't solve the problem. They have no homes, they have nowhere to go."

Nayler mentioned that the encampment residents, many of whom have lived there since September, reached out for help to city officials. "One of our friends called the number on the eviction notice to ask how to appeal and was told there is no appeal process," she said.

Nayler urged community members to support the residents by visiting the encampment, bringing essential supplies like water, food, and tents, and voicing their concerns to the city council. "You can come bring your camp chair, just spend a few hours here," she suggested. She noted that the encampment residents need essential supplies such as water, food items like sandwiches and snacks, and juice boxes. With rising temperatures, access to water is becoming increasingly critical. Additionally, there is a need for new tents and tarps to provide better shelter for some residents.