City of Toronto clearing encampment at Trinity Bellwoods Park

Thestar.com
June 22, 2021
Aaron D’andrea

The City of Toronto is clearing a homeless encampment at Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Staff are on site Tuesday morning enforcing trespass notices at the west-end park, which is near Queen and Shaw streets. The city said there are roughly 20 to 25 people living in the park.

“All individuals experiencing homelessness in this encampment -- will be offered safe, indoor space, with access to meals, showers and laundry, harm reduction, physical and mental health supports, and a housing worker,” the city said in a news release. “Occupants will be given time to pack two bags of belongings to take with them. All other belongings will be collected and stored for up to 30 days for future pickup. There are approximately 65 structures on-site.”

There is a heavy police present on site to “ensure the safety of encampment residents and city workers,” the city added.

“The city remains focused on providing a human services response to encampments and peaceful, voluntary referrals for people sleeping outdoors to safer, inside space.”

Last month, tensions erupted between protesters, police and bylaw staff after the city showed up to clear an encampment at Lamport Stadium.