Barrie, Ontario’s mayor has announced a state of emergency due to a rise in homeless encampments and what he labeled as escalating “lawlessness” in the city. Alex Nuttall stated in a press release that Barrie residents are fed up and emphasized that encampments are unacceptable, urging those in tents to seek available resources. He warned that refusing help would not be tolerated, stating that the city would not permit lawlessness to prevail.
During a news briefing, Nuttall highlighted a significant surge in encampments and crime in recent weeks, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress in addressing the issue. He justified the state of emergency as crucial to restoring order and safety in the community.
Under provincial emergency management law, the mayor’s directives empower city personnel to establish a task force to manage encampment responses, engage consultants and contractors, and enforce protocols more assertively. Nuttall revealed plans to dismantle encampments while offering assistance to residents in finding housing and support services, prioritizing the removal of a large encampment near the local courthouse.
Legislation passed by the Ford government, dubbed the Safer Municipalities Act, grants municipalities and law enforcement enhanced tools to eradicate encampments and clean public spaces. The law imposes stricter penalties on individuals repeatedly breaking the law, including continuous trespassing and drug-related offenses in public areas.
While acknowledging the immediate need to tackle homelessness, Sara Peddle, the David Busby Centre’s executive director, stressed that individuals experiencing homelessness are generally law-abiding. She emphasized the scarcity of housing options as a primary reason for the persistence of encampments, citing data indicating a shortage of housing units compared to the homeless population in Simcoe County.
Mayor Nuttall linked the rise in encampments to increased crime based on reports from police and residents. Simcoe County Warden Basil Carke pledged support for Barrie in addressing encampments, utilizing provincial funding to expand housing availability. Responding to the state of emergency declaration, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack’s press secretary, Alexandra Sanita, affirmed the province’s commitment to collaborating with municipalities to safeguard public spaces and enhance housing provisions.