Encampment Protocol GIC Motions Jan 15th Megathread

As previously discussed, Spadafora's motion to end the encampment protocol is expected this week. There is also a second encampment related motion from Danko aimed at bbqs and fires at encampments.

• Danko's motion (no seconder at this time): That City of Hamilton staff adhere to the defined provisions of the Encampment Protocol as revised and approved by Hamilton City Council in June 2024, including section D) Prohibited Areas for Erecting Encampments, Temporary Shelters, or Tents, section E) Campfire and Barbecue Use and section...
• Spadafora's motion (Jackson as seconder): That the City of Hamilton Encampment Protocol be rescinded and Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) and Parks staff be directed to dismantle all encampments as well as clean and restore parks...

Click on the links to read the full motions. Both are scheduled for General Issues (GIC) on Wednesday (agenda linked) and the city livestreams meetings here or on YouTube.

This is not expected to end tents completely as the ruling does say that while we do not have spaces for all, overnight camping is allowed but the City could under the court ruling move people on during the day. Social workers and medical teams have asked the City not to do this until the additional beds are in place as they often have only hours to find people to get them into emergency housing or medical/drug treatment programs and waste that time trying to find people who have been moved.

The staff Encampment Response update (Oct-Dec 2024) is also expected at GIC this week. This is the general stats update and not the report the mayor requested last year. That report is expected to have recommendations for winding down the encampment protocol and changes to distances to playgrounds, schools and private property, among other stipulations for those who do not use the new beds.

As a reminder, the city expects to have 270+ additional spaces open by March which would let them wind down the encampment protocol naturally saying those in parks are there because they choose to be, and already discussed waiting until those beds were in place and the larger staff report was back before voting on the protocol (with an estimate of March-April as a timeline).

Recent news stories including opinion pieces from councillors

• Councillors want to scrap Hamilton’s encampment protocol
• Getting rid of the encampment protocol is not a solution
• City of Hamilton Releases December Encampment Stats
• Hamilton Council Will Vote on Encampment Enforcement & Removal
• The Barton/Tiffany Tiny Shelters Are Late, Again
• What the City of Hamilton Can and Cannot Do Following Encampment Court Decision
• Proposal could see HATS back in the tiny shelter picture in Hamilton

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