City of Regina quickly moves to shut down new Taylor Field homeless encampment
The City of Regina moved quickly to shut down a new homeless encampment beginning to form at the old site of Taylor Field.
On Wednesday evening, bylaw officials moved in to clear the short-lived camp from the former home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, after a previous attempt was made to approach residents earlier in the day.
The city has now fenced off all entrances to the massive section of vacant land, blocking public access.
Around half a dozen unhoused residents were evicted without incident.
One city councillor is concerned about who is giving the orders.
"I think now there's a pre-emptive order to prevent people from being homeless in certain locations," Andrew Stevens said. "Go to an alley. Go to a burnt out garage. Go to a boarded up house, but whatever you do, don't go onto Taylor Field, where there was supposed to be affordable housing."
"I feel for the front-level civil servants doing some dirty work on behalf of somebody. I don't know who, but this is quite offensive."
Last week, a tent community was cleared from Regina's city hall, where the unhoused had been staying for more than 40 days, officials citing safety concerns.
Hotel rooms were offered by the Ministry of Social Services to some residents, like Pynk Mitton.
"I was there Friday to Monday morning, and then I was informed that they no longer want me staying there," Mitton told CTV News.
Volunteers who cared for the unhoused at city hall say they're prepared to continue doing so.
"Volunteer staff is looking to stay connected with campers and make sure we meet people where they're at and meet their needs," Tiro Mthembu said. "We know winter is coming, so we want to make sure that we have solutions put in place to make sure our neighbours have warm places to stay over the winter."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.