Latest news with #KarenRedman
CBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Region's plan to clear Kitchener encampment raises concerns for federal housing advocate
Federal housing advocate Marie-Josée Houle has written an open letter to Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman and councillors with her concerns over plans to remove people from a long-standing encampment in Kitchener. The encampment is located at 100 Victoria Street N., near the Kitchener train station and where Victoria Street intersects with Weber Street. People have been living on the site since early 2022. In April, regional council passed a bylaw to clear the encampment by Dec. 1 so the empty lot can be used by Metrolinx and construction crews as work to build a new transit hub gets underway. The bylaw would make it illegal for anyone to live on or occupy the site at 100 Victoria St. N., after Dec. 1. In her letter, Houle explains it's her mandate to review systemic housing issues across the country, as established by the National Housing Strategy Act. "I appreciate that municipalities like Region of Waterloo are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis and responses to encampments but do not necessarily have the powers and financial resources to address all the systemic factors contributing to homelessness," Houle wrote in her open letter, which is posted on the Canadian Human Rights Commission's website. "Nevertheless, municipal governments — just like all other orders of government — have obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights and to adopt a human rights based approach to encampments." She said in her review of the region's plans, she "heard repeatedly" that giving people a spot at a temporary emergency shelter was not good enough. "Spaces in emergency shelters do not offer security of tenure and may be inaccessible or unsafe for many people. They do not always consider the cultural needs of Indigenous people, the needs of people with disabilities and can be unsafe for women and members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community," Houle wrote. Building trust 'essential,' advocate says She urged the region to use a human rights-based approach to their next steps, and that includes "meaningfully engaging" with people who live at the encampment and finding solutions that offer adequate housing and supports for people. "It is not enough to claim to adopt a human rights-based approach; it is essential to take actions that lead to rights being protected and a real improvement in the lives of people living in encampments," Houle wrote. "Building and maintaining the trust of people living in encampments is an essential component of a human rights based approach. These relationships must demonstrate transparency, accountability and integrity," Houle added. "Although the region on the one hand has a team of support workers to assist encampment residents in accessing housing, on the other hand, the region is bringing harmful litigation against the residents of the encampment. It is impossible to build trust in this context." Houle says she would also welcome the chance to speak with council to offer advice on how her office could help the region move forward. Region continues to support people at encampment Homelessness has been a growing issue in Waterloo region. A point-in-time count in the fall of 2021 showed more than 1,000 people didn't have a place to live. That rose to more than 2,300 people during an October 2024 point-in-time count. The region previously tried to clear people from living on the site in 2022. In January 2023, a Kitchener judge ruled the region couldn't evict people from the site unless they gave them another place to live. The region tried to argue the encampment went against a bylaw on public conduct on regionally owned properties. Justice M.J. Valente cited the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and said the region's plans to move people off the site at the time went against the person's rights to life, liberty and security of the person. That's because, Valente said in his ruling, the region lacked enough shelter space for everyone who was homeless. In a statement to CBC News on Tuesday, the region said "staff and partners continue to support residents at the encampment." Those supports include outreach staff, connecting people with Ontario Works caseworkers, regularly cleaning the site, hiring pest control, installing portable washrooms and lights as well as addressing "other health and safety interventions." The region says that between April 16 and July 2, they helped 13 people who had been living at the encampment prior to April 16 to move off the site "with an approach consistent with the region's plan to end chronic homelessness." As well, the region says it is seeking direction from the Superior Court of Justice on the bylaw passed in April. That case is scheduled to go before the court in November.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Application process begins to fill empty Waterloo Region council seat
The application process to fill an empty Waterloo Region council seat has begun. Anyone interested in the position can submit an application confirming their eligibility for the role. To be eligible a person must: Live in the Region of Waterloo, be an owner or tenant in Region of Waterloo, or be the partner of an owner or tenant Be a Canadian citizen Be at least 18-years-old Applications will be accepted until Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. Candidates will have the opportunity to address council during a special meeting on Aug. 14. The seat, representing Kitchener, has been empty since the death of Councillor Kari Williams. 'It is with a heavy heart that we have now declared this seat vacant,' said Regional Chair Karen Redman in a media release. 'As regional council is required to welcome the next representative for Kitchener residents to council, the application process chosen to fill this seat is democratic, inclusive, and also affordable for residents.' Councillor Kari Williams passed away in June. She had served on regional council since 2022.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New 160-bed long-term care home under construction in New Hamburg
Construction is underway on a new, upgraded 160-bed long-term care facility in New Hamburg. The project, which will replace the current Nithview Home, is part of Ontario's plan to expand and modernize long-term care across the province. The new home is expected to open to residents in 2027. 'This groundbreaking is great news for our community,' said Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener–Conestoga in a media release. 'Replacing the Nithview Home with a new state-of-the-art facility will ensure our community has access to the care they need for generations to come.' The new design will include private and standard rooms organized into five 'resident home areas,' along with features such as dining spaces, lounges, a garden level hub, chapel, café, and a hair salon. The home is licensed to and operated by Tri-County Mennonite Homes. According to the province, the facility will create over 100 new jobs and provide seniors with improved access to care close to home. 'This new state-of-the-art facility will allow residents to stay close to family in the community they call home while receiving the care and support they need,' said Waterloo Region Chair Karen Redman in part. The long-term care upgrade is one of 147 projects across Ontario currently underway or approved, representing nearly 24,000 new or redeveloped beds.
CTV News
15-06-2025
- CTV News
Region of Waterloo International Airport launches human trafficking awareness program
The Region of Waterloo International Airport has launched a new program to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. CTV's Hannah Schmidt explains. The Region of Waterloo International Airport has launched a new program aimed at training airport employees to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. The initiative, launched in partnership with the #NotInMyCity movement and the Waterloo Regional Police Service's Human Trafficking Unit, is part of a growing national effort to combat one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada. 'Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada and that is really, really concerning,' said Region of Waterloo Chair, Karen Redman. 'So anything we can do to help victims get out of that kind of downward spiral, out of being victims of this system, we're happy to do it.' The #NotInMyCity campaign, founded by Canadian country music artist Paul Brandt, works to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking across several sectors, including aviation. 'Airports play a crucial role in addressing and suppressing human trafficking, awareness and education are a priority,' said Brandt in a media release. 'We are committed to working with airport employees, law enforcement and everyday people to increase awareness and take action against trafficking, citing that thousands of Canadians are now recognizing the signs and knowing how to respond.' As part of the program, airport staff will complete specialized e-learning modules developed by #NotInMyCity, while signage and informational materials will be placed throughout the terminal. The initiative also provides tools for reporting suspected cases of trafficking in a way that prioritizes the safety of potential victims. 'We know that thousands of people travel through this airport,' said Chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, Mark Crowell. 'It's one of the busiest airports in all of Canada. So knowing that people can mobilize, they can create awareness and to provide support for victims and survivors of human trafficking. This is one of the many things within this region we can do to help to improve the safety in our communities.' According to recent statistics, human trafficking generates an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits globally each year. In Canada, 93 per cent of trafficking victims are Canadian citizens, and 21 per cent are under the age of 18. Girls and Indigenous women are especially vulnerable; while Indigenous people make up five per cent of Canada's population, they are overrepresented among trafficking victims, according to the 2021 Census. 'We know that being part of the 400 series is also a trigger and that's why it's one of the pillars in our community safety and well-being,' said Redman. 'We know that we need to have eyes on the street and eyes on people when they're not necessarily realizing they're being observed so that we can help.' The Region of Waterloo is one of several Canadian airports participating in the initiative as #NotInMyCity continues to expand its reach across the country. To learn more visit,
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
70% of Wilmot lands purchased by Region of Waterloo
Regional Chair Karen Redman says the region has purchased 70 per cent of the 312 hectares of land it needs to create an industrial site in Wilmot Township. The region has been working since March 2024 to buy the land, which includes residential and farm properties. Redman explains why the region needs the site.
