Gilroy says places used by children should be off-limits to homeless camps

A motion introduced by Coun. Cindy Gilroy Thursday calls on the city to prohibit encampments in public spaces commonly used by children.

“This isn’t out of lack of compassion, this is out of frustration of inaction,” Gilroy said.

The motion directs the public service to ensure that encampments are banned from community gardens, playgrounds, areas with spray pads and pools, and other spaces designed for children and families. It also calls for prioritized enforcement and improved co-ordination with outreach organizations at these sites.

It also asks the city to prioritize enforcement and co-ordination with outreach organizations at these sites.

Gilroy said daycare operators, community members and service providers have spoken out about dangerous material, such as drugs, including fentanyl, needles, and drug paraphernalia, being found in parks where children play.

“Things that, quite simply, if a child gets a hold of it, can die from,” she said.

Gilroy said a troubling incident in her ward last week underscores the need to act.

“There was a woman that was attacked with a hammer by people that were in encampments in a park of mine, and six children witnessed it.”

It happened at a small park at 354 Agnes St.

“We really need to look at what we can do to protect our vulnerable children from witnessing and seeing some of the issues we’re seeing.”

Other parks plagued by drug-related violence include Central Park, Furby Tot Lot and Vimy Ridge Park on Portage Avenue.

“We know (the issue) isn’t going to go away any time soon. We know the province has a plan, but in the meantime, we as a city have to manage this and make sure, at least, our children are safe.”

The motion was referred to the community services committee, which will consider it in September.

Last fall, Gilroy raised the issue of discarded needles and weapons in Central Park. While some cleanup has occurred, she said it’s been limited.

“However, I had to pick from very few parks,” she said. “I’d like to see all of the parks where kids play at, of course within the inner city, have a wider spread of cleanup and removal, but that’s not the case. It’s just a few selected parks I get to choose from.”

While city bylaws prohibit encampments in parks, Gilroy noted that federal regulations require the provision of adequate housing before dismantling them.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he’s been working with Gilroy to address the issue and is in talks with the province and outreach providers to explore options to limit camps in specific areas.

“There are several layers to this,” the mayor said. “We know that in other cities… that have tried to ban certain locations for encampments have been taken to court. So there are legalities we have to look at as well.”

The province did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

He acknowledged the widespread public frustration in relation to the nagging problem and said the city is awaiting legal guidance.

“I am frustrated,” he said, adding there isn’t enough housing to move people out of camps. “I want to work with Coun. Gilroy here… there’s work to be done here.”

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Tuesdays

A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world.

Sign up for Dan Lett | Not for Attribution

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

The mayor, who has opposed sanctioned encampment spaces such as tent cities, said he’s open to reconsidering.

“I’m open to having my mind changed on some things,” he said, noting that he originally balked at the idea after visiting Victoria, where people didn’t stay in the sanctioned space.

“Then you’ve got the difficult decision… do you, by force, move people from where they’ve gone to and put them back in the encampment? It’s difficult.”

— with files from Joyanne Pursaga

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.

Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.