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On November 6, 2024, the BQNA held our 2024 Annual General Meeting and Public Meeting about the Encampment in Little Norway Park.
Community interest was very high and the room at the Waterfront Community Centre (WNC) was filled to overcapacity. More than 70 community members were unable to participate in the meeting due to the 100- person capacity for WNC Dance Studio – and the next meeting will be in the gymnasium at the Centre.
Joan Prowse, Chair of BQNA, introduced the BQNA board members and gave a brief overview of the work that BQNA had done over the last two years and then pivoted to the issue at hand – the community concern about the growing encampment in Little Norway Park.
Federal MP Kevin Vuong began by voicing concern about the lack of city bylaw enforcement and a ‘failed drug strategy’, especially next to a school and playground. Toronto City Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik stated that Little Norway is a priority for community safety teams, and 3400 kg debris have already been removed. She reiterated that encampments are not acceptable in our community, but ‘there is no magic wand that will fix this’ with 450 encampments in the city of Toronto at the moment. MPP Chris Glover, attended later due to a work conflict and spoke about the need more financial resources from the province and the federal government to address the homeless situation.
Public officials seated at the front table were a valuable resource for the ensuring Q&A session:
Toronto Shelter Support Services:
Gord Tanner, General Manager
Milton Barrera, Director, Outreach and Access (Streets to Homes and Encampment Office)
Homes First Society:
Jessica Uthayakumaran Director of Shelters
Ryan Evershed Manager of Community Engagement and Client Programming
Toronto Fire Services:
Division Chief Marla Friebe
Captain Roman Wojnarski
Toronto Police Service, 14 Divison
Inspector Rob Choe
Sergeant Jeff Zammit
Social Development Finance Administration:
Nicole Watson Manager Policing Reform Unit
Parks Forestry & Recreation
Esther Afriat Project Manager, Parks Ambassador Program
Daniel Vala General Supervisor, Parks – Waterfront District
During the Question and Answer session, many questions and impassioned statements from local residents followed. These included:
The death of a resident in the shelter parking lot has raised tension in the community and since 2018 the presence of the shelter has changed the community with open drug use, screaming by some shelter residents, break ins to the buildings, stolen bikes, drug injection in building lobbies, and some children feeling unsafe in the park. Fires are a more common occurrence in the park now, and people asked why bylaws are not enforced. Pleas to remove these encampments have been ignored. Many people commended 14 Division police officers and fire service personnel who are doing outreach to the people in the encampment with limited resources. Other participants expressed the need to acknowledge the plight of people and work for a safe, effective and peaceful solution. Some asked why Toronto is not building portable mobile housing that can be quickly built in 30 days? All wanted to know what concrete measures the city is taking to resolve this for everyone.
The issue was also raised that new provincial legislation will close public safe injection sites in March 2025. But the 545 Lake Shore Shelter is a private shelter and Homes First has applied to the federal government to run the service in order to prevent drug users moving into the park. Homes First did affirm that they will comply with provincial laws.
The City acknowledged that shelters are not the answer and there is a plan to end the encampments and get people into housing. As an example, the 100 tents in Alan Gardens are vastly reduced with 90 people now housed, and they will be bringing this approach to Little Norway Park in the coming weeks.
Actions promised at the meeting:
The City will extend services to 24/7 and bring in more enforcement; stop new tents, and prioritize Little Norway Park for rehousing. The city will have an enhanced plan in one week.
Residents in the building next to the shelter are frustrated they cannot contact staff after 10 pm to report problems and noise. The City will make a 24-hour help line available.
On November 8th, Councillor Malik sent the following post meeting update for distribution to the community.
Dear Joan,
I want to extend my thanks to everyone who attended the community meeting on Wednesday, November 6th, organized by the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association. Your participation and engagement are vital to our community’s well-being. Here are the immediate takeaways and outcomes.
During the meeting, City Division heads, Toronto Police, and I took your questions about the encampment in Little Norway Park, and heard you in person about the impacts you’ve shared through your conversations with me, and emails and calls to my office. These included:
Safety Concerns: Public drug use, inappropriate behaviour, fire hazards, electrical hazards, and discarded needles.
Health and Waste Concerns: Open flames, garbage accumulation, public property misuse, pet safety, and access to the playground.
Criminal Behaviour: Theft and vandalism, drug activity, and aggressive behaviour.
In continuing our response to address these concerns over the past months, Gord Tanner, General Manager of Shelter and Support Services, committed to implementing an enhanced services protocol. This means:
Increasing the presence of Security Guards and Community Safety Teams in the park.
Providing an on-site trailer to enhance outreach, including case management to support individuals navigate the social services necessary to move out of the park permanently.
Greater coordination with emergency services and the implementation of a multi-divisional working group.
Details about these measures, as committed to in the meeting, will be communicated to the community through my office and the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association in the coming weeks. You can find my latest update on the current status of the encampment here.
Thank you once again for your active participation and for voicing your concerns. Together, we can work towards a solution that benefits everyone in our community.
Best,
Ausma
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (she/her)
Toronto City Councillor - Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York
416-392-4044 | councillor_malik@toronto.ca
Many thanks to BQNA Co-Chair: Jacqueline McLaughlin and Sub-committee Director: Maureen Callaghan for coordinating this meeting. And to the many community volunteers who helped make this meeting possible. Blog by Bev Thorpe, BQNA Secretary and building representative at The Atrium.
To keep up to date with developments about this issue please subscribe to the BQNA Newsletter. That is the best way to stay informed.
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