Encampment under Algonquin Boulevard in Timmins raises questions
For the past few weeks, some people who are living rough in Timmins have set up camp in a high profile area: underneath the overpass on Algonquin Boulevard at the Spruce Street intersection.
They told CTV News that this is where they feel comfortable and police said as long as they're not breaking any laws, it's their choice.
Timmins police officials said people have taken notice of the encampment and have called it in to the police.
“Nobody that we’re aware of who is currently at that encampment is technically in crisis," said Marc Depatie, communications coordinator for the Timmins Police Service.
"So we are monitoring the situation from an arm’s length point of view. The moment that any law’s broken, the police will react and take appropriate steps to remedy the situation.”
Brian Marks, chief administrative officer for the Cochrane Social Services Administration Board, said encampments have existed in the city for decades, but were hidden in the bush.
He said people don't seem to mind homelessness when it's hidden.
“I would say this is an opportunity to learn more," said Marks. "To try to understand what goes into homelessness and see it for what it is. That every individual has a story and, you know, for the person that has chosen to sleep under an overpass in Timmins, there’s a story there.”
Samantha McWatch is a member of the group. She said she was evicted from her apartment last winter.
"I had friends and family; it was cold and in winter time and I was allowing them to come stay with me," McWatch said.
"Apparently, there was complaints by the neighbour, but that should be a reason if they were inside my home, right. I pay rent through Ontario Works.
Marks said shelters in the city are not full at this point, but for whatever reason, these people do not want to sleep there.
Officials said outreach workers have met with the people under the overpass and have offered to connect them with services in the community, but said it's their decision whether to accept assistance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Calgary police to release more details on pro-Palestinian protest
Details on arrests, tickets and charges against a number of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at the University of Calgary will be released on Friday, police say,
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.