Petition to repeal PDL-LEG-25-017 - 100 Victoria St North, Kitchener Site Specific By-law

The Region passed the above site-specific bylaw requiring 100 Victoria Street North to be vacant by December 1, 2025 in order to allow Metrolinx access for upcoming construction. The bylaw includes funding specifically to support the current residents of the encampment in their transition to alternate shelter spaces.

According to regional staff, the purpose of the by-law is to facilitate the construction of the Kitchener Central Transit Hub. The planning for the hub has been underway for over a decade and it will be another decade before it is finished. 

While we welcome the commitment to public transit in this community, we cannot undertake this type of project at the expense of caring for and respecting the human rights of the most vulnerable residents of our community.

In 2023, Justice Michael Valente ruled that attempts to clear encampments, without alternate accommodation being provided, violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically the “right to life, liberty and security of the person,” (click here for more information on the ruling).

By-law PDL-LEG-25-017 contains sections, that if implemented as written, equate to eviction by limiting access to the site, hindering outside support, restricting on-site movement, and reducing available living space. This would make it impossible for residents to live there. They would have no choice but to vacate in order to survive. 

Although the bylaw earmarks funding to provide shelter, the encampment has been at 100 Victoria for three years; during that time Region of Waterloo staff and council have been unable to successfully provide alternative housing while the need has since increased twofold.

It's very unlikely that the new funding will be enough to house unsheltered people in the Region, including people at 100 Victoria.It's very unlikely that the new funding will be enough to house unsheltered people in the Region, including people at 100 Victoria. The 2024 point-in-time count for the Region of Waterloo indicated that there are 2371 people who are unhoused across the region, an increase of more than 100% from the previous count in September 2021. With the end of winter, several shelter sites have closed leaving even fewer spaces. There is a seven plus year waitlist for Regional geared-to-income, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Region is around $1800. Most of the new funding is for motels, but motels that are willing to take homeless individuals are full.

The simple fact is there is not enough suitable housing available for unsheltered residents in the Region.

We ask that the Region of Waterloo repeal the bylaw and honour its commitments to the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and the Shared Principles for Change embodied therein.

The Region must enter honest and transparent conversations with the residents of 100 Victoria to find a solution that prioritizes meeting their housing and wellbeing needs. 

Until such time as the bylaw is repealed, we demand that the Region immediately and without delay:

1. Remove the security vehicles from the site making it easier for mutual aid and social service organizations to have access to the site to deliver supplies, support, and medical care.
2. Refuse to issue fines to residents of the encampment or to individuals delivering essential goods and services on site, as mentioned above.
3. Cease to erect any fencing or barriers prohibiting access to the site and eliminate the use of kettling against the residents.
4. Reduce the number of industrial garbage bins from 5 to 2.The bins are obstructing access and increasing pests on the site and in proximity to residents' homes.
5. Allow the residents of 100 Victoria to move freely around the site including relocating their shelter for any reason.
6. Place the needs of Waterloo Region residents first, ahead of pressure from other levels of government or outside organizations.

We believe that it is entirely possible to meet the needs of a growing region while caring for people and respecting human rights. We demand that the Region of Waterloo do the same.

When signing, please make sure to expand the signature box to include your postal code otherwise your signature will not be valid for the Region of Waterloo Petition Process. Thank you!