Homelessness in Pickering – FAQ

You may have noticed an increase in unsheltered residents living in Pickering’s parks and open spaces, including Esplanade Park.

Our priority is to ensure safety and access to public spaces for everyone, and the City is committed to a people-first, human rights-based approach to help connect unhoused residents in encampments with shelter and housing.

We work closely with Durham Region and community partners to offer health and social supports and long-term solutions for care and housing. 

What is the City of Pickering’s approach to encampments?

The Region of Durham is responsible for planning and coordinating support for unhoused residents across the Region. The City of Pickering collaborates with Durham Region and community partners to coordinate responses to encampments. 

The goal is to balance public safety and park access while prioritizing the basic human rights of unsheltered residents. This approach emphasizes connecting individuals to health and social supports, working with agencies on long-term housing and care, and coordinating with emergency services to ensure safety for all. Like other Ontario municipalities, our response is guided by compassion, collaboration, and legal obligations under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

What is the City doing with respect to tents in and around Esplanade Park

The City, in coordination with the Region of Durham’s outreach team, works with the residents to explore alternative solutions for housing, outside of Esplanade Park, given its prominence as a highly-used public space that regularly hosts major events and community gatherings.

Our shared approach is focused on communication, education, and maintaining a respectful and dignified relationship with those experiencing homelessness. If individuals do not voluntarily move on, we will continue to monitor conditions and respond promptly to safety concerns such as fires, weapons, or urgent health risks. Where necessary, we will also rely on applicable by-laws and legislation, including the Trespass to Property Act, in cases of imminent danger to people or property.

Why can’t the City just remove the tents or redirect residents to shelters?

Outreach takes time. Connecting people to shelter, health care, and housing supports requires coordinated work with multiple agencies and is not a quick fix.

Staff and partner agencies conduct regular wellness checks and provide information on housing, mental health, and other supports. Courts in Ontario have also ruled that removing encampments without available shelter options may conflict with Charter rights. This means municipalities must focus on compassionate, lawful solutions, while also planning for longer-term housing options with partners across the Region.

Municipalities have encampment health and safety review protocols to guide interventions. These protocols emphasize non-intervention unless specific safety concerns arise, such as threats to public health, significant criminal activity, or unsafe structures. Municipalities often provide extensive outreach and support services to encampment residents, offering alternatives and engaging in good faith discussions to address concerns without immediate intervention. Forcible removal is not within municipal jurisdiction or legal authority. Municipal action is only required when public safety is at risk or when encampments are abandoned and require cleanup to ensure community health and safety.

What do I do if I’m concerned about my safety?

Like in all community spaces, if you ever feel unsafe or witness behaviour that is threatening, call 911.

Who do I contact about feedback, questions, or concerns around encampments?

For non-emergencies or specific encampment site concerns, you can contact Customer Care (905.683.7575) during the regular business hours of Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For 24-hour support and direct contact with the Region, please reach out to 24-hour Durham Region Street Outreach Team at homelesshelp@durham.ca or call 311.

 All reports will be reviewed by staff, in partnership with the Region of Durham’s outreach team and will be redirected to the appropriate authority to address.

Other resources include:

Durham Regional Police non-emergency line (1.888.579.1520).