People living in an encampment located in a Toronto churchyard have been given eviction notices by the City of Toronto, even though the tents were pitched with the church’s blessing.
“I don’t know why they’re doing this,” said Reverend Maggie Helwig. “People have been here for over six months. We have not had any serious problems. It just seems unnecessarily cruel.”
“It is morally and ethically the churchyard,” Rev. Helwig said, adding for as long as she has been leading the church, there has been at least one person sleeping and seeking refuge there every night. Not everyone is sleeping on public land. There are a few occupants nestled beside the wall. Rev. Helwig says it’s unclear if they and their belongings will be removed as well, but they are implicated in a second notice sent by the city on Wednesday.
“The City cannot force people to come inside and avail themselves of the many services offered by the City, but living in an encampment in a City park is unhealthy and illegal,” the statement continued. Rev. Helwig says in some cases, occupants of the encampment have been advised there is place in respite services, but there is no guarantee of accommodation night to night, and they would have to part with their tents and much of their belongings.
When CTV News Toronto first visited the encampment in October, a man who identified himself as Danny said he was afraid to seek refuge in a shelter for his own safety.
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