Ford visits homeless encampment in Barrie, Ont., after mayor declared local emergency
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford says homeless encampments that take over public parks are “unacceptable” after he toured one in Barrie, where the mayor has declared a state of emergency over the issue.
Ford said the encampment he visited over the weekend was “absolutely terrible” and his government is working to help its residents get into shelters and proper housing.
“These are places where people used to walk their kids in parks,” Ford said Monday at an unrelated press conference.
“And it doesn’t matter where you are in Ontario, why does less than one per cent of the people take over a park for 99 per cent of the population that uses it? It’s unacceptable.”
Earlier this month, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall declared a state of emergency over homeless encampments in the city north of Toronto, citing concerns about public safety.
The announcement came after a lengthy police investigation at the site of an encampment led to a man being arrested for the alleged murder and dismemberment of two victims. Nuttall said he is also concerned about arson, thefts, public drug use and overdoses associated with encampments.
Nuttall thanked Ford for coming to Barrie to see the situation first hand.
“We had important discussions on how municipalities need the ability to enforce their own bylaws to allow us to maintain public spaces, as well as conversations on mental health, addiction, and affordable housing,” the mayor said in a statement.
Nuttall said the local state of emergency requires co-ordination across all levels of government, “and it is reassuring to know that the province is at the table.”
Ford’s government passed legislation in June to give more powers to police and municipalities to remove encampments and strengthen penalties for those suspected of using drugs in public.
The provincial government also pledged $75.5 million in funding to municipalities to address encampments, including $50 million for affordable housing and $20 million to expand shelter capacity.
Homelessness and encampments have risen dramatically in the past several years, which Ford’s critics attribute to poor progress on initiatives such as building supportive housing.
Critics have also said that the legislation targeting encampments will only punish some of the most vulnerable people in Ontario.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has said that while the estimated 1,400 encampments across the province must be addressed, more investments are needed in housing, health and social services.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2025.