'I’d give them a one-way ticket out of here!' Sarnia councillor reacts in wake of police investigation at homeless encampment
The City of Sarnia will not clear out a homeless encampment in a city park anytime soon.
The decision comes after a heated debate and multiple legal opinions — it also came just an hour before a serious stabbing occurred.
On Tuesday, tents lined a ridge at Rainbow Park, just south of the downtown.
The encampment is home to dozens of people experiencing homelessness. Many, including Justin, told CTV News London they are tired of shelters.
“I just want to be in a home safe. Be able to wake up comfortably and have my own privacy,” Justin said.
But the encampment is a concern for nearby neighbours and a source of political division.
Sarnia Coun. Bill Dennis did not mince words and wants the encampment gone immediately.
Justin, seen on May 7, 2024, has been living at an encampment inside Rainbow Park in Sarnia, Ont. for the last two months. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)“If I had it my way, I’d give them a one-way ticket out of here. It would be cheaper in the long run. And, it would be better for the citizens of Sarnia,” he said.
But at a meeting Monday, lawyers told councillors they don’t have the right to tear the camp down.
In turn, Mayor Mike Bradley said a new plan to act is being drawn up which will involve support from a Lambton County committee.
“We need to deal with this. And, we need to mitigate the problem,” Bradley explained. “We can’t solve it, but we can try to mitigate it. And that takes a community effort.”
Yet within the hour of the council ending on Monday, the stabbing occurred. On Tuesday afternoon, the Sarnia Police Service announced a 33-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge.
Police, who were back in the park Tuesday for an unrelated matter, said the victim will recover.
But Dennis said the stabbing is another example of why the park needs to be cleared. He contends some inside need help with drug addiction, not a place to camp.
Coun. Bill Dennis is seen in Sarnia, Ont. on May 7, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)“There is misguided empathy for these people,” he said. “I believe in tough love. There are rules in life.”
Dennis said the police need to “step up” for the safety of residents and nearby property owners.
But Bradley countered officers will not act without a court injunction. It is a move he said that would not even be considered if the province took the lead on homelessness.
“We’ve got 444 municipalities and yet they’re all struggling alone to figure this out,” he explained. “Bring us together and let the province take the lead. We will be there to support them.”
Back at the camp, support and compassion is all Justin is asking for.
“I’d like for those people to be in our shoes and see how pain really feels,” he said. “I mean by pain, no place to live.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979879.1722078054!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'We will rebuild': A look inside the wildfire devastation in Jasper
During a tour of the town with Ireland, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and other dignitaries on Friday, the indiscriminate nature of the wildfires could be seen everywhere, with Jasper National Park's glorious mountain peaks overlooking the devastation.
'It's completely gone.' After fast-moving wildfire destroys brother's home, one woman opens her own to evacuees
Kim Titchener knows first-hand how caring the Jasper community can be, and she's hoping to give back as much as possible now that the town and its people are in need.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Beloved Fredericton stone beaver statues getting second life with conservation
A team in Fredericton, N.B. is using toothbrushes, scalpels and steamers to spray, pick, massage and brush a 1,300 kilogram limestone sculpture of two beavers that has sat in the heart of the city for more than six decades.
New numbers confirm one-third of Jasper townsite destroyed in this week's wildfire
One-third of all structures in the townsite of Jasper are gone, burned to the ground in this week’s wildfire, officials confirmed Friday.
Taylor Swift's museum era is on full display at London's V&A
Taylor Swift fans who missed her world tour or those who can’t get enough of her can catch her at the museum this summer.
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.