City changes course, now homeless encampment in Sudbury won't be cleared for Remembrance Day ceremony
A legion president in Sudbury said Tuesday the city has now told her the Remembrance Day ceremony in Memorial Park will go ahead, but in a shared space with homeless people living there.
And the encampments will not be dismantled.
“I do think there is some scrambling going on within the city,” said Jennifer Huard, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 564.
"Late yesterday afternoon, I did receive a call indicating that they would be moving the encampment away from the cenotaph area and towards the back of the park, and of course I was satisfied with that."
The city said Monday it conducted a health and safety audit in Memorial Park and that the health safety of all residents is a top priority.
But that doesn't mean people living in the encampment will be forcibly removed or displaced.
“Unfortunately there was miscommunication with all parties. There is no enforcement going on in the encampment,” said Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc.
The city said it’s working to have meaningful discussions with people living in the park.
“If they want to move locations, we as staff and the agencies are working with them to relocate them either to the back of Memorial Park or another location of their desire," said Leduc. "We are offering them alternative shelter that is available.”
But he said some people in the encampment have no interest in moving.
“Unfortunately we do have some individuals that are refusing any kind of shelter they are refusing services completely," Leduc said.
"So it’s very challenging for our staff and for the agencies to get them to cooperate. But I think over time we will build that trust."
The Legion said it remains hopeful the situation can be resolved and the area in and around the cenotaph will be able to accommodate the outdoor Remembrance Day ceremony Nov. 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.