Kitchener holds public session on encampment bylaw changes

Public Input Session on Kitchener Encampment Bylaw Amendments

A growing list of delegates will gather at regional headquarters on Wednesday evening. They aim to voice concerns for the current residents of the encampment at 100 Victoria St. in Kitchener.

The Region of Waterloo is hosting a public input session before deciding on amendments to a bylaw. This bylaw seeks to clear the site for the construction of the Kitchener Central Transit Hub.

The bylaw, passed in April 2025, planned to remove residents by December of that year. It intended to place them in temporary housing or motels.

Since then, the removal date has changed. The region is considering amending the bylaw to extend the date for reclaiming the land to April 1. The amendments would also eliminate financial penalties for trespassing and include a housing plan created by regional staff. This plan would offer social service supports, transportation, and storage for up to six months.

The delegates for Wednesday’s meeting do not necessarily oppose the planned amendments. However, they argue that the bylaw breaches the Charter rights of the encampment residents.

The question of whether the bylaw violates Charter rights is currently in litigation at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The case is set to return to court in February.

Many delegates note that the region lacks enough shelter beds for over 2,300 people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region.

“Until the Region can demonstrate sufficient, truly accessible alternatives—measured by actual availability for the affected individuals—blanket prohibitions or site fencing are constitutionally vulnerable,” stated Rob Deutschmann, a former regional councillor, in a written submission.

Wednesday’s public input session will start at 6 p.m. A special council meeting to consider the amendments will follow on Friday.