Councillors identify weakness in homeless camp enforcement Removal of tents near train tracks requires railways’ co-operation By: Scott Billeck Posted: 6:19 PM CDT Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026

Two Winnipeg councillors say there must be close co-ordination with railways to deal with homeless camps on rail property because the sites fall outside city jurisdiction.

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Two Winnipeg councillors say there must be close co-ordination with railways to deal with homeless camps on rail property because the sites fall outside city jurisdiction.

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Two Winnipeg councillors say there must be close co-ordination with railways to deal with homeless camps on rail property because the sites fall outside city jurisdiction.

“Despite our encampment policy clearly identifying these locations as unsafe and requiring action, there was a lack of response from the city, including limited participation in efforts to connect individuals with appropriate supports and services,” said Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre).

The city centre committee passed a joint motion by Gilroy and Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry) last week that calls for a review of the city’s response to camps on railway-owned land.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
A tent near a rail line along Omands Creek on Wednesday. Two city councillors want to work with railway operators on encampments so the city can enforce its bylaw on rail property which is outside city jurisdiction. — MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

A tent near a rail line along Omands Creek on Wednesday. Two city councillors want to work with railway operators on encampments so the city can enforce its bylaw on rail property which is outside city jurisdiction.

While the encampment bylaw prohibits camps from being located within 50 metres of a rail line, the city has limited authority to act when those encampments are on railway property, which is considered private land.

The motion notes residents have raised concerns about camps on railway land and warns that encampments on or near active rail lines pose “significant safety risks” due to train operations, dangerous goods transportation, trespassing hazards and limited emergency access.

Gilroy said there are encampments near rail lines in her ward and in Point Douglas.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Coun. Cindy Gilroy (pictured) and Coun. Sherri Rollins are calling for a review of Winnipeg's response to homeless camps on railway-owned land. — MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Coun. Cindy Gilroy (pictured) and Coun. Sherri Rollins are calling for a review of Winnipeg's response to homeless camps on railway-owned land.

“I brought this motion forward as a result of an issue I encountered in my ward involving an encampment located within 50 metres of a railway line,” Gilroy said.

On Wednesday, she said outreach workers recently identified an encampment near the rail corridor between Erin and Wall streets, close to Calvary Place Personal Care Home — a location where a camp is prohibited under the bylaw.

But the site is on property owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, formerly Canadian Pacific Railway.

She said city officials wouldn’t contact the railway to address the encampment. Instead, she reached out to St. Boniface Street Links for assistance.

Marion Willis, who runs Street Links, told the Free Press on Wednesday her encampment team was out and back within an hour, having dismantled the camp. Willis said no one was there when they arrived.

“This experience highlighted concerns about how our current policy is being implemented and prompted me to call for a review,” Gilroy said.

“They’re expecting the community to know what rail line it is, who to contact. I’m saying, ‘No.’ It shouldn’t be up to the community to figure it out. We have relationships with these rail lines because they work within city limits.”

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
A tent near a rail line at the tip of Point Douglas on Wednesday. Winnipeg’s encampment bylaw prohibits camps from being located within 50 metres of a rail line, but the city has limited authority to act when those encampments are on railway property, which is considered private land. — MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

A tent near a rail line at the tip of Point Douglas on Wednesday. Winnipeg’s encampment bylaw prohibits camps from being located within 50 metres of a rail line, but the city has limited authority to act when those encampments are on railway property, which is considered private land.

Gilroy said city policies must be well-written and applied consistently, particularly when public safety and the well-being of vulnerable individuals are at stake.

She said a review would help to identify gaps, clarify responsibilities, and ensure the policy achieves its goals.

The motion, which will be reviewed by the community services Tuesday, asks that the public service review and report back on amendments to enforcement practices to ensure that when encampments are on land owned by railways, the city will notify the company and co-ordinate with the railway about the appropriate response and removal.

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Executive director and founder of St. Boniface Street Links, Marion Willis: “The city just needs to understand the process.” — John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Executive director and founder of St. Boniface Street Links, Marion Willis: “The city just needs to understand the process.”

The meeting will also include the latest update on the city’s camp response protocol.

Willis said she doesn’t believe the motion is necessary.

“The city just needs to understand the process,” she said.

CPKC, in an emailed statement on Wednesday, said that trespassing on railway property is illegal and dangerous.

“Experience clearly shows that encampments near active rail lines consistently result in increased trespassing, vandalism, high-risk emergencies, and operational hazards,” a spokesperson said.

“CPKC police work closely with the local municipalities, including the City of Winnipeg, and other agencies to address illegal and dangerous trespassing behaviour that occurs on railway property.

“We do this to protect public safety. Safety is a core value at CPKC, and we remain committed to assisting the City of Winnipeg in its efforts to improve the community.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott.

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