Timmins overpass encampment now enclosed with fence
Officials in Timmins are hoping that a fence will discourage vulnerable residents from gathering under the overpass on Algonquin Boulevard.
The area was cleared out late last week and the hope is the chain-link fence will ensure the area remains clear.
Around 10 people had been seen sleeping in the area. CTV News first reported on the encampment in August and this is the second time people have been relocated since then.
Timmins Mayor Kristin Murray said Monday that safety was the primary reason why the area is being fenced off.
"The decision was made simply because, you know, we want to make sure that individuals in our community stay safe," Murray said.
"That's really how that decision came to be."
She said housing solutions are needed longer term, something they are having conversations about now. But shorter term, Murray said "the hard decision" to clear the area for safety reasons.
The problem has been ongoing during the summer and Murray said it was important to deal with it before winter sets in. They have been working with social service agencies to ensure services for those who need it.
"I would hate for people to be out in the cold," she said.
"So that's why … it was sort of like a staged approach, having conversations with our community partners (about) how we can ensure that individuals are seeking the appropriate services."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.