Last Thursday, activists and community leaders in Barrie came together for a march to raise awareness about homelessness and show support for local encampments. The event followed the City of Barrie's eviction of an encampment from a park, where residents were left without adequate housing alternatives. 

Deepak Bidwai – Local Journalism Initiative

Led by Ashley from Ryan’s Hope, the march began at the Spirit Catcher on Barrie’s waterfront and concluded at City Hall, where several speakers shared their messages. 

Speakers included Anisa Carrascal from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Christine Nayler from Ryan’s Hope, Cove Brown, a former harm reduction and outreach worker, local rapper Slick, and a reporter and Councillor from the Barrie Métis Council.

Anisa Carrascal of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Christine Nayler of Ryan’s Hope, Cove Brown, a former harm reduction and outreach worker, rapper Slick, and a reporter and Councillor with the Barrie Métis Council,.

Christine Nayler, co-founder of Ryan’s Hope, addressed the community’s concerns about the intersecting crises of toxic drug use, homelessness, and housing instability. She stressed the urgent need for immediate action, highlighting that political leaders have consistently failed to address the root causes of these issues, often opting for short-term solutions or punitive measures. 

Nayler emphasized the demand for real, accessible housing solutions, including rent geared to income and supportive housing for those with mental health and substance use challenges. She criticized current policies that criminalize poverty and urged the community to unite, reject divisive tactics, and demand accountability from leaders. “We want housing now,” she said, expressing deep concern for the upcoming winter and the lack of adequate support for the growing number of unsheltered residents in Barrie.

Samantha Loney, a reporter and Councillor with the Barrie Métis Council, addressed the crowd at the recent march to support those impacted by the City of Barrie's encampment evictions. Loney shared her experience visiting the Berczy Park encampment, initially as a journalist, before discovering two Métis men, Justin and Lance, living there. 

“As a Councillor, it’s my job to represent Métis citizens in the Barrie area,” Loney explained. “Seeing them unhoused and ignored was heartbreaking.”

Cove, a 33-year-old former harm reduction and outreach worker, stood before a crowd, sharing their personal story of homelessness. A gender non-conforming, trans, queer parent of three children, Cove emphasized the deep systemic issues within social support systems and the mental health sector that contributed to their current situation. 

Cove, who recently became homeless along with their eldest daughter attributed their housing instability to a combination of mismanaged mental health issues, systemic failures, and a lack of support from their biological family. Cove explained that despite years of dedication to the community, working in harm reduction, they found themselves without stable housing. “The answer is housing. It has always been housing. Healing starts with housing," Cove stated.