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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.