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
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.