Court decision refusing eviction of encampment residents raises bar for municipalities

By Ismail Ibrahim, John Fox, Claudia Pedrero and Amelia Briggs-Morris ( July 13, 2023, 10:41 AM EDT) -- A decision from early in 2023, Waterloo (Regional Municipality) v. Persons Unknown and to be Ascertained 2023 ONSC 670, has been hotly debated by those providing homelessness services and those working at municipalities. As the court states, the case “touches on the unfortunate, complex and nationwide social issue of homelessness” and the systemic impact of this problem is felt throughout the court’s decision....