Encampment under the overpass in Timmins cleared out again
The City of Timmins sent in crews to clean up the encampment area under the overpass on Algonquin Boulevard on Friday morning.
Things like mattresses, shopping carts and debris have been accumulating in the area over the summer.
The mayor issued a statement this week to let people know she is committed to finding a solution.
“I’d really like to make clear that the fact that people in the City of Timmins, their voices have been heard," said Kristin Murray.
Officials said about around 10 people have been sleeping off and on in the area. CTV News first reported on the encampment in August. This is the second time people have been relocated since then.
“All the members under the bridge were Indigenous and they were looking to care for each other," said Jeremiah Sparks, coordinator of the Fire Keeper program for Mushkegowuk Council.
"There’s people on the far side of the bridge -- on the Tim Hortons side -- that were just there. They have places to go but they were there looking after their community members, their family, their friends to ensure they’re OK."
Timmins police were also on scene but it was Sparks and employees from Living Space who communicated with the people.
“We have a group of community partners that we do deal with and together we’re finding these folks homes, places to stay, giving them treatment for anything that they require treatment for," said Sgt. Robin Carter of the Timmins Police Service.
Murray and Sparks said sustainable housing and racism are two of the biggest obstacles people without a place to live are trying to overcome.
“What does housing look like in our community? And since I’ve been the mayor everyone has stopped me and asked those tough questions and they're tough questions to ask, absolutely, but I’m here about ... really engaging people within all of Ontario to build in Timmins," said Murray.
“The racism issue is real and we’re hoping that we can provide you know solutions, education and understanding. And that’s what we’re asking for at this time," added Sparks.
City and police officials said the area will continue to be monitored.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.