Encampments located underneath or near Winnipeg bridges to be removed, city says
The City of Winnipeg has banned temporary encampments underneath or adjacent to bridges over concerns for the safety of people using the spaces for shelter, a city spokesperson says.
According to the latest numbers from End Homelessness Winnipeg, there are about 105 encampments located throughout the city with anywhere from a few people to 20 people staying in each one.
As part of the process, the city has installed 26 signs in 13 different locations reminding people open fires and camping are not permitted.
The city said new rules which kicked in on Oct.1, 2021, prohibit camping or gathering under bridges.
“It has been identified that temporary encampments under bridges are posing significant life safety hazards,” David Driedger, a spokesperson for the city, said in an email. “The city will implement a practice of vacating all encampments located beneath bridges and/or immediately adjacent to bridges, and prohibiting re-occupation of the space.”
The city said it’s been working closely with community partners such as End Homelessness Winnipeg and Main Street Project to support unsheltered people living in Winnipeg.
Jason Whitford, executive director of End Homelessness Winnipeg, hopes any enforcement or evictions are carried out using a gentle approach.
“I’m hoping that it’s not going to be adversarial or punitive in any way, that different resources would accompany if enforcement is to occur and I’m sure that will take place because we have a lot of good caring people out there,” he said.
Driedger said through its network, the city will help to relocate unsheltered people and provide access to transitional housing.
“The city will continue to cover the initial cost of transitional housing for residents who choose this option,” Driedger said.
He said the encampments pose a safety risk to individuals because they’re constructed using combustible materials, covered with blankets or tarps with small entrances.
“These materials typically burn readily and vigorously. Encampment residents also utilize a variety of heat-producing devices to help protect them from the cold including propane heaters, open fires, and candles within and close to shelters making the risk of uncontrolled fire or carbon monoxide poisoning significant,” Driedger said.
“We have reached a point where it is no longer prudent to allow encampments under the bridges to continue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.