Issue Timeline: encampments

Recommendations for Ongoing Encampment Supports and Responses (vote; carried (17-0))

• Mover: Councillor Harrigan, Seconder: Councillor Ceccacci
• Summary: Council approved the Encampment Response Strategy (Appendix A), authorized amending the sole-source agreement with Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) to expand housing-focused outreach to seven days per week, and authorized additional sanitation, garbage removal and security services not to exceed $85,000 annually funded from the ESS Future Economic Downturn reserve. Moved by Councillor Harrigan, seconded by Councillor Ceccacci.
• Related tags: housing
• Entities: Reach out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K)

The proposed Encampment Response Strategy attached as Appendix A be approved by Council.

Source: Council Meeting - November 4 2024 (Minutes) — Item 18(a)

Access to Federal Funding for Encampments and Homelessness (notice_of_motion; —)

• Named councillor: Councillor B. McGregor
• Summary: Councillor Brock McGregor presented a notice of motion regarding access to Federal Funding for encampments and homelessness, to be added to the November 18, 2024 Council Agenda for discussion and voting.
• Related tags: housing, funding

Councillor Brock McGregor presented a notice of motion regarding access to Federal Funding for encampments and homelessness.

Source: Council Meeting - November 4 2024 (Minutes) — Item 22(a)

Motion by Councillor B. McGregor re Access to Federal Funding for Encampments and Homelessness (Postponed) (motion; deferred)

• Mover: Councillor B. McGregor
• Summary: Councillor B. McGregor's motion regarding access to federal funding for encampments and homelessness was postponed to the December 9, 2024 Council Meeting.
• Related tags: housing, funding

This item was postponed to the December 9, 2024 Council Meeting.

Source: Combined Council Meeting - November 18 2024 (Minutes) — Item 19(d)

Access to Federal Funding for Encampments and Homelessness (vote; carried (18-0))

• Mover: Councillor B. McGregor, Seconder: Councillor C. McGregor
• Summary: Council endorsed Councillor B. McGregor's motion requesting funding from the federal Minister of Housing to access 2024 federal budget funds earmarked to address encampments and homelessness. Moved by Councillor B. McGregor, seconded by Councillor C. McGregor.
• Related tags: housing, funding
• Entities: Sean Fraser

“That Council endorse a request for funding to Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities to access funding from the 2024 federal budget earmarked to address encampments and homelessness,

Source: Council Meeting - December 9 2024 (Minutes) — Item 16(b)

Invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to Address Encampments (notice_of_motion; —)

• Named councillor: Councillor Jubenville
• Summary: Councillor Jubenville presented a notice of motion regarding invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to address encampments, to be added to the December 16, 2024 Council Agenda for discussion and voting.
• Related tags: housing, governance

Councillor Jubenville presented a notice of motion regarding invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to address encampments.

Source: Council Meeting - December 9 2024 (Minutes) — Item 25(a)

Letter of Support re City of Hamilton Resolution on Homelessness and Encampments (motion; carried)

• Mover: Councillor Crew, Seconder: Councillor Finn
• Summary: Council agreed to send a letter of support for the City of Hamilton resolution regarding Reducing Homelessness and Managing Encampments, following Councillor Crew's reference to Item 4(d). Moved by Councillor Crew, seconded by Councillor Finn. Carried by show of hands with no recorded roster.
• Related tags: housing, governance
• Entities: City of Hamilton
• Needs human review: Motion outcome listed, but no recorded vote tally

"That Chatham-Kent send a letter of support for the resolution from the City of Hamilton regarding Reducing Homelessness and Managing Encampments."

Source: Council Meeting - December 9 2024 (Minutes) — Item 27(b)

Motion by Councillor Jubenville re Invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to Address Encampments (vote; carried (13-0))

• Mover: Councillor Jubenville, Seconder: Councillor Harrigan
• Summary: Council adopted a motion opposing the Government of Ontario's use of the notwithstanding clause to facilitate the eviction or displacement of encampment residents, affirming Charter rights and calling on the province to share more of the financial burden, carried 13 to 0. Moved by Councillor Jubenville, seconded by Councillor Harrigan.
• Related tags: housing, charter_rights, governance
• Entities: Government of Ontario, AMO

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent opposes the use of the notwithstanding clause by the Government of Ontario in connection with any legislation that would facilitate the eviction or displacement of encampment residents.

Source: Combined Council Meeting - December 16 2024 (Minutes) — Item 18(a)

Conflict of interest declaration (comment; unknown)

• Named councillor: Councillor Crew
• Summary: Councillor Crew disclosed a conflict because her daughter-in-law authored the report.
• Related tags: conflict_of_interest
• Entities: Councillor Crew, Chatham-Kent

Councillor Crew - Options to Issue Request for Proposal to Evaluate Chatham-Kent’s Encampment Response Protocol (information report) Her daughter-in-law is the author of the report.

Source: Council Meeting - April 13 2026 (Minutes) — Item 10(b)

Evaluation of encampment response (vote; carried (15-0))

• Mover: Councillor Bondy, Seconder: Councillor Jubenville
• Summary: Council carried the RFP and funding directions for an independent encampment-response evaluation.
• Related tags: housing, procurement, budget
• Entities: Chatham Kent, Pathways on Park, Chatham-Kent, Housing Services Operation Reserve 17316

MovedCouncillor BondySecondedCouncillor Jubenville“That
Administration issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to retain an independent consultant to evaluate Chatham Kent’s encampment response and the Transitional Cabins project (Pathways on Park), and to provide recommendations for enhancements or potential changes to how Chatham-Kent delivers services, at a cost not to exceed $55,000 (inclusive of HST and any municipal tax rebates).
The Key RFP Terms attached to this report (Scope, Mandatory Requirements, Deliverables, Timeline) be approved and incorporated into the solicitation posted on the Municipality’s Bids & Tenders portal.
The results of the RFP be brought to Council for approval.
The Director, Housing Services be authorized to execute the resulting agreement.
Funding for the $55,000 study be drawn from the Housing Services Operation Reserve 17316.
Administration report back to Council with the consultant’s final report and an implementation plan with a recommended funding source for any proposed enhancements.”
Yes (15)Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonaldConflict (1)Councillor CrewAbsent (2)Councillor C. McGregor, and Councillor ThompsonMotion Carried (15 to 0)

Source: Council Meeting - April 13 2026 (Minutes) — Item 12(c)

Wallaceburg encampment situation (question; unknown)

• Named councillor: Councillor Hall
• Summary: Councillor Hall requested an update and staff provided the recorded response.
• Related tags: housing, outreach
• Entities: Wallaceburg, General Manager of Health and Human Services, By-law Enforcement Officer, ROCK

Councillor Hall requested an update on the current encampment situation in Wallaceburg. The General Manager of Health and Human Services explained that three rooming houses in Wallaceburg have closed, leaving some residents with no place to shelter. By-law Enforcement Officer and staff from ROCK have been attending the various places where people are sheltering outdoors and providing supports and contacts to get them into housing.

Source: Council Meeting - June 8 2026 (Minutes) — Item 24

Encampment protocol evaluation (agenda_item; carried)

• Named councillor: —
• Summary: The R26-221 award and funding recommendation were approved as part of the consent agenda.
• Related tags: housing, procurement
• Entities: Chatham-Kent, Vink Consulting, Housing Services

e.Award of R26-221, Evaluation of Chatham-Kent’s Encampment Protocol "That
The Evaluation of Chatham-Kent’s Encampment Protocol, R26-221 be awarded to Vink Consulting at a total value of $48,933.75 (including HST).
The total project cost of $48,933.75 (including HST), will be funded from the Housing Services division’s previously approved operating budget and charged to the Housing Services Professional Fees Account (15558.50072.SHADMIN)."
This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

Source: Combined Council Meeting - July 13 2026 (Minutes) — Item 16(e)