REGINA - Regina Mayor Sandra Masters provided some details to reporters Wednesday about the bulldozing of a homeless camp located on Halifax Street.
Equipment came in to tear down the encampment this week, located in the Heritage neighbourhood. The indication is that it was the site’s private owner who notified the city that the land would be cleared.
In speaking to reporters, Masters said the city of Regina itself wasn’t involved, beyond Regina Fire and Protective Services and Regina Police Service.
“It was the Regina Fire and Protective Services which flagged we were reaching a critical point as it relates to health and safety wellbeing issues. The RPS had been checking regularly as well, with regard to the safety of those in the encampment. Overall, the general sense was that an encampment is not a solution to homelessness. We do understand that Mobile Crisis was on site to offer forms of housing.
“Really, it was a private owner who gave notice that he was coming in to clear the land. He did do that, and then there was a coordination amongst our public safety agencies as well as a community based organization like Mobile Crisis being on site to make sure people were connected with services.”
Masters added that “I believe what we’ve learned from across the country and North America is that while again, encampments are not a solution, they also create significant risks to the folks who stay there once it reaches a particular critical mass. I believe administration and Fire and Protective Services and Regina Police Service will be working on some parameters on how to move forward.”
