The Regional Municipality of Waterloo v. Persons Unknown and to be Ascertained – 2025 Litigation (100 Victoria St. Encampment Case)

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On January 27, 2023, Justice Michael Valente ruled the Region of Waterloo’s attempts to clear the 100 Victoria St. encampment were a violation of residents’ Charter rights.

On April 16, 2025 five large dumpsters and a large unmarked trailer were moved onsite to the surprise of residents, community advocates and organizations who support the residents. The Region of Waterloo proposed a site-specific bylaw that would clear the 100 Victoria Street encampment in Kitchener by December 1, 2025.  Waterloo Regional Council passed the bylaw on April 23, 2025. Please see the by-law below for full details.

We truly hope that the Region and other governments will move forward with thoughtful, permanent remedies to address the homelessness crisis. We hope to see the prioritization of safe, dignified, and healthy alternatives to encampment evictions. We hope to see the Region and other governments actively engaging with service providers, advocates, and social organizations – and more importantly, with the directly affected communities – when making decisions about low-income and affordable housing plans. For those interested in learning more, documents pertaining to this case can be found below.

We want to thank everyone who has stood with us in support of our unhoused neighbours, particularly those residing at 100 Victoria St, Kitchener. We hope to see the life, security, and liberty of individuals experiencing homelessness protected. Lastly, we hope to see people treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.

The court heard this case in Kitchener, Ontario across multiple days on April 16, 17 and 20, 2026.

Update – May 1, 2026
Our team at WRCLS would like to thank all residents of the 100 Victoria St. Encampment for placing their trust in us throughout this legal process. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the volunteers, affiants, witnesses, allies, community members, media, and interveners who have supported our team and efforts throughout this case.

As we await Justice Gibson’s decision, we remain committed to defending human rights—including the rights to life, liberty, and security of the person, as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the meantime, the injunction at 100 Victoria St. remains in effect, and no one can be forcibly evicted from the site.

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