To those supporters in Waterloo Region:
The Region of Waterloo is holding a public input session related to amendments to the 100 Victoria Site Specific bylaw on:
Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 6pm
The proposed amendment does not include any provision for an alternative site.
This will leave folks experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity without a "low barrier place of last resort".
Council will make their decision on changes to the bylaw at a morning meeting:
Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9am
We encourage anyone from Waterloo Region to make their hopes and concerns known to council:
- register to speak to this online or in person tomorrow (Jan 7, 6pm) - registration required before meeting starts
- email the council.
- Observe on the 7th or 9th - no registration or signup required
Changes to the 100 Vic bylaw:
- NEW eviction date: April 1, 2026
- Restates that the only 100Vic “Residents” are someone who lived there on April 16, 2025
- Removes the $5,000 penalty fine [They have always had the option of using the provincial Trespass to Property Act instead. That's up to $10,000]
- Re-mandates all outreach workers to do the standard outreach work that they were hired to do. But NOW housing plans must be put in writing!
- Clarifies that they're putting people in temporary emergency shelter spots (if there’s space) and motels (until funding runs out), hoping that they'll stay there, but continuing to work with them if they get kicked out for “breaking the rules”.
- After April 1, 2026, the Region of Waterloo can remove 100Vic residents against their will if they decline or “fail to accept” an offer from outreach workers for any reason (including if it’s not adequate or accessible)
We hope locals will express their concern to council members.
We encourage ALL supporters to continue discussing why all communities need sites where "camping" is legal - until there are always available, genuinely safe, shelters - for person(s) of every demographic, which can be accessed all day every day, accommodate couples and pets, and without barriers such as requiring ID.
Lastly, you'll notice some changes to this petition's image. The SDC (Social Development Centre) noted the significant limitations of an online petition. They have taken on the project of getting signatures on paper. We hope many local residents have had the opportunity to provide their signature on paper - in order to present to council on this occasion, and in future. (Digital signatures from this online petition will also be presented). We thank the SDC for recognizing the importance of this initiative.
Thank you for caring about the wellbeing of your community.
Source links, and additional reading for additional context:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING - Proposed amendment to By-law 25-021, respecting the use of 100 Victoria Street North in Kitchener
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=d190b4c1-d9d7-4cb8-bc36-f10bb4423ef7&newsId=a84b663c-41c6-4b42-8aec-9be60c339b42
Full text of the motion:
https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=d6b152ff-68ec-4ebf-babd-e072ebb7a65d&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=14&Tab=attachments
WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, AND MUNICIPAL RESPONSES TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS The Federal Housing Advocate’s visit to Southern Ontario September 21–26, 2025
https://homelesshub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Federal-Housing-Advocates-report-What-we-heard-about-encampment-responses-in-Southern-Ontario.pdf