Canada’s federal government has announced plans to commit CAD 250 million (USD 186 million) to tackle the growing problem of homeless encampments and homelessness across the country. Provinces will need to match the government’s investment cost to qualify for the grants. This new funding is an extension of the existing Reaching Home program, which aims to allocate $3.7 billion over nine years to combat homelessness in Canada. The issue has become a pressing concern, with at least 235,000 people experiencing homelessness according to recent statistics from Statistics Canada. The rise in homelessness has been exacerbated by the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, leading to an increase in temporary outdoor encampments.
The encampments have become points of conflict between residents and community members, who argue that they limit access to public amenities. In some cases, local governments have cleared encampments with police intervention. However, obtaining a judicial order to clear these sites requires navigating stringent legal standards. Canada is a signatory to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to adequate housing. Notably, the Court of Appeal of British Columbia ruled in Victoria v. Adams (2009) that Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes housing rights, even if that housing is in an encampment. The decision established criteria for eviction, including the prohibition of evictions at night and the requirement for sufficient shelter space to accommodate displaced individuals.
Commenting on the initiative, Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, stated, “Across Canada, playgrounds, parks, and public squares have become the last refuge for too many individuals. The harsh realities faced by those living without stable shelter do not reflect the values we hold as Canadians.” The full statement and further details can be found [here](https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2024/09/leading-the-effort-to-end-encampments-and-address-homelessness-in-canada.html).
For more background, visit the original article on JURIST.