City authority in Barrie, Ontario, issues a city-wide emergency declaration
In the city of Barrie, Ontario, Mayor Alex Nuttall has declared a state of emergency due to the growing issue of encampments within the city limits. The emergency declaration aims to address safety concerns, damage to municipal property, and the ongoing toll of the opioid crisis.
The increase in encampments, according to the mayor, can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, measures were taken to provide supports through County and provincial funding, but they weren't enough to prevent encampments from spreading.
To address this crisis, a task force will be created to oversee the response to encampments, illegal drug use, and social services. The mayor is also pressing the province to review funding for social programs in the city.
In addition, the mayor is calling on the County of Simcoe to expand access to additional shelter spaces and support services. The city will "reclaim" its streets, parks, and public spaces, with the mayor stating that they would support those seeking help but would not allow encampments to continue on public property.
The state of emergency gives city staff the authority to enforce encampment protocols more aggressively, prioritise the dismantling of high-risk sites, and hire outside contractors if necessary to speed up cleanup efforts.
Several incidents, including fires requiring emergency response, overdoses, theft, and assaults, have occurred inside encampments, further highlighting the urgency of the situation. A double homicide and dismemberment investigation forced the shutdown of one of the city's largest encampments, leaving behind millions of dollars in cleanup costs and hazardous waste.
It's unclear when the dismantling of the encampments will take place, but the mayor's declaration underscores the city's determination to address this complex issue. Not all individuals living in encampments are originally from Barrie; some have come from other municipalities.
City testing revealed troubling E. coli levels in Dyment's Creek, which are five times higher than levels already too dangerous to swim and bathe in. Some encampments in Barrie are situated along waterways and in public parks with playgrounds, raising additional health and safety concerns.
Our website News reached out to the premier's office last week to ask what they were doing to assist municipalities with the crisis and have not heard back. The mayor's declaration marks a significant step in Barrie's efforts to address the encampment crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
