On August 12, 2024 City Council approved an Encampment Response Protocol as a step to mitigate the impacts of encampments on public lands in the community, the protocol was amended with further direction on September 9, 2024.
Homelessness remains a national issue, with communities across Canada working to address the local impacts of a national crisis while protecting the Charter rights of residents. On Monday, August 12, 2024, Sarnia City Council approved an Encampment Response Protocol, providing the City with clear guidelines on where encampments are expressly prohibited on municipally-owned property, and measures to mitigate health and safety concerns.
To report an Encampment, please contact City of Sarnia By-law Enforcement at 519-332-0330 ext. 3301 or e-mail bylawenforcement@sarnia.ca.
Prohibited areas for encampments
The new protocol prohibits encampments on municipally-owned lands that are adjacent to sensitive uses such as children / youth facilities, athletic amenities and private residences.
The protocol does not identify any City-owned lands where an encampment would be permitted.
New encampments are prohibited:
- Within 100 metres of play equipment and pools on municipal property; schools;
- Within 1000 metres of residential property, group homes, education facilities including childcare centres, and long-term care homes – as determined by the property line;
- Within10 metres of all other private property – as determined by the property line;
- Within 1000 metres of public trails and paths;
- Within 5 metres of transit stops, highways, construction zones, and sidewalks/roadways;
- Within cemeteries, off-leash dog areas, community gardens, sidewalks/roadways, paths, under bridges, blocking fire hydrants, blocking accessibility entrances/ramps, and entrances/exits/doorways;
- Within 50 metres of sports fields, multi use courts, bleachers, lakes, beaches, ponds, watercourses, and docks;
- The following specific municipally-owned properties: Canatara Park; Centennial Park; Germain Park; all waterfront and beaches; Howard Watson Nature Trail; Mike Weir Park; Sarnia Business & Research Park/Development Area 2; 402 Business Park; and smaller portions of any larger municipally-owned parcel of land
In areas where new encampments are found in prohibited spaces, Sarnia By-Law Enforcement will provide a 48-hour notice of trespass, ordering individuals to vacate within that timeframe, and work with police if necessary to ensure individuals comply.
The protocol does not apply to private property.
Encampment rules
The protocol outlines specific rules for an encampments, including:
- Temporary shelters must be free standing, and set up in a row (no clustering) – they cannot be placed against, under, or be attached or tied to any building or structure.
- Temporary shelters must be spaced at minimum 10 feet apart, and rows must be spaced far enough apart to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles.
- No more than 1 tent per person or group of 2 and no more than 2 persons per temporary shelter.
- Wooden shelters or structures are not permitted.
- Fences or other structures surrounding the temporary shelter are not permitted.
- No excess garbage or debris.
- Trailers are not permitted.
- All personal items shall be contained within the temporary shelter, save and except for 2 methods of transportation (e.g. bicycle).
- Ladders are not permitted.
- Hanging any personal items, including laundry, on fences or other structures is not permitted.
Encampment safety
The protocol outlines specific health and safety requirements for any encampments.
Safety provision include:
- Human Trafficking or any illegal associated activity will not be tolerated. Any evidence of human trafficking observed within the encampment will be reported.
- Intimidation, physical violence, or threats of physical violence towards neighbouring shelters, community residents, or staff providing services will not be tolerated.
- Brandishing weapons or firearms towards other neighbouring shelters, community residents, or staff providing services will not be tolerated.
- All pets must be leashed when outside a shelter; a muzzle is required if the pet is known to be violent; all dogs must be licensed.
- No open fires, barbeques, or combustibles are permitted in encampments.
- No used, uncapped needles in or around the site; sharps must be properly disposed of.
- No minors (under 16) are to be permitted to reside in the encampment. If minors are observed residing in the encampment, they are to be reported to CAS.
Rainbow Park
While the protocol applies to Rainbow Park, legal challenges remain for any dissolution of the established encampment in the absence of a court order. A court order is ultimately required to enforce relocation of individuals living at the park’s established encampment. External legal opinion has noted the City would likely be unsuccessful in obtaining such a court order. The City continues to review potential solutions to mitigate the impacts of the existing encampment, and possible avenues for relocation. The City is continuing every effort to work with community partners, including the County of Lambton Social Services, Lambton Public Health, and the Sarnia Police Service to address safety concerns at the park and homelessness in our community, with the ultimate goal of connecting those experiencing homelessness with supports and transition to stable housing options.
Accessing Help
How to get help:
- Call 911 if there’s a medical emergency or to report someone in distress.
- For information on the County of Lambton’s response to homelessness, call 519-344-2062
- To report an Encampment, call the City’s By-law team at 519-332-0330 ext. 3301
- Lambton Public Health 519-383-8331