Kingston, Ont. asking the courts to evict encampment at Belle Park
The city of Kingston will ask the Ontario Superior Court to evict people living in an encampment at Belle Park.
In a media release Thursday afternoon, the city said Council has directed staff to bring an application before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeking an order to remove the encampment at the park.
In March, city staff issued trespass notices to people living in the park, but the city says it "has not forcibly removed anyone, instead focusing on a peaceful transition."
The city says there have been "serious incidents occurring at the encampment" in Belle Park, which pose health and safety concerns for people living at the park, service providers and surrounding neighbours.
"There is capacity to accommodate individuals remaining in the encampment, but some have declined offers of shelter and support," the city said in a statement.
"The City is seeking guidance from the Court to address this situation."
In January, the city of Kingston issued trespassing notices to people living on city property, including Belle Park, the K&P Trail, and around the Integrated Care Hub. Council then voted to suspend the trespass notices until March.
The city says since issuing the trespass notices in March, "Most individuals in the encampment were safely relocated with access to appropriate services and supports."
"The City remains committed to addressing homelessness and the mental health and addictions crisis in Kingston; the safety of all our residents is our top priority, taking into consideration the complexity of needs for all those involved."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.