Encampment prevention: If you see something, you can do something!

UPDATE: 18 June, 2025

On Friday, June 13 residents noticed an encampment being set up under the mid park metal structure that is being assessed by Parks & Recreation for safety improvements and refurbishment. The BQNA Encampment Sub Committee immediately got busy with emails, phone calls and documentation to alert elected officials to remove the encampment. The “campers” were seen lighting campfires, using drugs, public urination and stolen furniture appearing daily from local buildings. Relentless advocating for removal resulted in the encampment being removed on July 17. Our voices matter – see something, say something!

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By Joan Prowse

May 28, 2025

On March 6 we saw the last of the tents removed after all the people living in Little Norway Park accepted more suitable shelter or found permanent homes thanks to many people from the City and our own community who cared enough to make this happen.

Unfortunately, on Friday, April 11, three tents appeared. Thanks to the quick action of community residents, who knew who to contact and the City staff who responded, the tents were gone the next day with the people inside them accepting more suitable accommodation.

How did this quick turnaround happen and what did we learn from this experience that can help to ensure the park remains open and tent free?

Here’s what was done on that particular day as a result of immediate action.

I spoke to the two Park Ambassadors (from the City’s Parks and Recreation Department) as they visited the tents and told them about the prevention measures put in place in Little Norway Park to enforce the City by-law prohibiting overnight camping and tents. They were not aware of this priority program and gave me the name of their supervisor, who I called immediately. He too was unaware of our park’s status but promised to take action. At the same time, Maureen Callaghan, a member of the BQNA’s Little Norway Park Encampment sub-committee, had already sent an email to ecampments@toronto.ca about the appearance of the tents.

Later that day, I was at City Hall and spoke with our City Councillor Ausma Malik’s Office Manager about the situation to make them aware that there were tents set up in our park. That evening, I also called 14 Division of Toronto Police Services at 416-808-1400 to let them know about the situation and was told that the tents were being removed the following day, which they were.

All these actions do not have to be done by a single person. We can all work together to promote health and safety measures in our neighbourhood.

Here is what you can you do if you witness illegal activities and/or seeing the by-law being broken. Don’t hesitate or wait for someone else to take action. Swift action nets results.

Emergency Services contact:

• 911 if you witness criminal activity or the immediate safety of people are at risk

• Toronto Fire Services: 416-338-9375 or tfsPubEd@toronto.ca

• 211 for non-immediate Community Crisis Response to mental health and wellness situations.

• 311 for concerns about noise, litter, hazardous materials, graffiti

Encampment Prevention Measures:

1. If you see tents being set up or already there, email: encampments@toronto.ca
   

2. Contact the Community Safety Officers, hired by the City to provide 24/7 support to our neighbourhood. They do rounds of the park and are stationed at the 545 Lakeshore Shelter. They can be reached by telephone at 647-455-2800 or 647-455-0062.
   

3. For Non-Emergency Services contact Toronto Police 14 Division at 416-808-1400 or 416-808-2222. You can also reach out to our Neighbourhood Community Officers Constable Justin Story: 647-353-2190

   Sergeant Jeff Zammit: 437-772-9237

4. Email: crime.prevention14@torontopolice.on.ca
   

5. To request that Little Norway Park’s enhanced prevention measures continue throughout the summer send an email to City Counsellor, Ausma Malik at councillor_malik@toronto.ca
   

6. Contact the BQNA to find out about joining one of two committees specific to Safety and Encampment Prevention in Bathurst Quay email contact@bqna.ca or visit our website and FaceBook group.
   

7. Reach out to Ryan Evershed, Manager of Community Engagement & Client Programming at Homes First to attend their next Community Liaison Committee meeting specific to the shelter at 545 Lakeshore. ryan.evershed@homesfirst.on.ca

To keep up to date with developments about this issue please subscribe to the BQNA Newsletter. That is the best way to stay informed.

Children playing in Little Norway Park