About two dozen people living in tents around Charlottetown as city, police and province mull options

August 8, 2022

82 6 minutes read

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Chris McLean was cautious when he approached, however pleasant.

“Searching for somebody?” he requested.

“No, simply wanting round,” I mentioned.

“Searching for a spot to remain?” he added, with a little bit of a smile.

“No, however it appears like that’s what you’re doing? I’m really a reporter for The Guardian. I heard there was a tent metropolis out right here.”

Behind a parking zone and down a path in the midst of Charlottetown, greater than a dozen Islanders reside in tents.

Campsites and orange-painted bushes mark a path that winds by the woods and emerges at a number of small clearings.

The websites differ in situation, with provides starting from fundamental tenting utensils to family home equipment and decorations with no partitions to embellish.

McLean and his associate are two residents of this so-called “tent metropolis” in the midst of Prince Edward Island’s capital.

This is one of the campsites set up at the tent city in the middle of Charlottetown. - Logan MacLean — This is among the campsites arrange on the tent metropolis in the midst of Charlottetown. – Logan MacLean

Priced out of residence

The 2 have been “unhoused” for a number of months, with each of them shedding work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. McLean labored as a painter and different trades earlier than the pandemic and picked up odd jobs throughout quarantine.

Then, with inflation and prices rising, the couple couldn’t meet their payments this yr.

They tented in an everyday campground at the beginning of the season, however have been rapidly priced out when vacationer season opened up, he mentioned.

Orange paint marks a pathway through the tent city location in the middle of Charlottetown. - Logan MacLean — Orange paint marks a pathway by the tent metropolis location in the midst of Charlottetown. – Logan MacLean

McLean wish to return to his commerce, however can’t do it with out a constant place to bathe, sleep and get well from bodily labour, he mentioned, noting the added issue of getting no fastened tackle.

“There’s tons of labor and I’m not a lazy individual. I’d love to have the ability to work.”

McLean estimated about one dozen folks reside completely on the website, whereas one other six to eight include much less consistency. That is down, although, from an estimated 50 regulars earlier within the season.

“The individuals are all adequate about it as a result of they’re all in the identical boat. So, it’s like, we’re all on widespread floor, and we assist one another as a lot as we are able to.” — Chris McLean, Charlottetown tent resident

Whereas it’s been tough dwelling within the woods, McLean spoke positively concerning the little neighborhood.

“The individuals are all adequate about it as a result of they’re all in the identical boat. So, it’s like, we’re all on widespread floor, and we assist one another as a lot as we are able to.”

One of many camp’s shared points is rubbish disposal, with the campsites ranging in tidiness and quantity of rubbish assortment by customers.

A person who works at a close-by constructing has been useful on this difficulty. The person just lately introduced a truck for loading trash, although he wanted it shortly after for farm work, McLean mentioned.

One resident of the tent city, Chris McLean, estimates about a dozen people live there full time, while another half dozen come to stay occasionally. Garbage collection is a key issue for those staying at the site. - Logan MacLean — One resident of the tent metropolis, Chris McLean, estimates a few dozen folks reside there full time, whereas one other half dozen come to remain often. Rubbish assortment is a key difficulty for these staying on the website. – Logan MacLean

Tents downtown

The tent location in the midst of Charlottetown is the biggest SaltWire Community has seen in P.E.I. this yr. However there have been additionally folks tenting downtown once we seemed for a second location police talked about at a July 26 metropolis council committee assembly.

Steve Wott, a tenter who has been dwelling behind a parking zone downtown for about three weeks, credit his canine with saving his life a dozen instances. Nova shouldn’t be a licensed service animal, however she has realized over seven years to assist instantly with Wott’s epileptic seizures.

As a result of so few landlords permit canine in small, inexpensive rental items, Wott has been unable to safe housing after getting evicted close to the beginning of 2022. He’s been on the road since then, sleeping exterior by the -30 C climate of winter and the +30s of summer season.

5 folks have been out and in of the downtown website whereas SaltWire Community was there. Wott was the primary individual to start sleeping there, however others joined because the summer season went on, he mentioned.

“Proper now issues are tougher. You possibly can transfer round, yeah, however I imply, the factor is you’re shifting round and also you’re carrying — like me, I obtained all the pieces I would like. I work on the race observe and all that, and we don’t have locations we are able to retailer all the pieces. I’ve obtained to remain close by.”

Chris McLean, left, and Craig Maye stand in front of a pile of collected garbage near their tent site in Charlottetown. McLean and Maye have been living in one of at least two so-called “tent cities” in town, where garbage collection is one of many logistical issues. McLean says he and his partner were able to stay at a regular campground at the start of the summer, but the tourism season quickly priced them out. - Logan MacLean — Chris McLean, left, and Craig Maye stand in entrance of a pile of collected rubbish close to their tent website in Charlottetown. McLean and Maye have been dwelling in considered one of not less than two so-called “tent cities” on the town, the place rubbish assortment is considered one of many logistical points. McLean says he and his associate have been in a position to keep at an everyday campground at the beginning of the summer season, however the tourism season rapidly priced them out. – Logan MacLean

Contemplating choices

Throughout the interview with McLean, he talked about that Charlottetown police inspired him and different ‘unhoused’ folks to “transfer to the tent metropolis.”

“After we first obtained right here, they arrive by two to 3 instances per week, simply to test on folks,” McLean mentioned. “(Police) mentioned they have been going to have a gathering and get again to us.”

Wotts additionally confirmed police had inspired him to maneuver uptown.

However simply final week at a gathering of the Charlottetown protecting and emergency companies committee, Deputy Chief Jennifer McCarron mentioned the pressure is choices for the “tent metropolis difficulty.”

Police are ready on a evaluate from an organization that additionally labored with police in Halifax on its tent metropolis difficulty, McCarron mentioned.

SaltWire Community emailed McCarron and Chief Brad MacConnell on Aug. 3 to confirm if police have been instructing folks to make use of the tent metropolis, together with questions concerning the Halifax-based firm evaluate.

SaltWire Community additionally requested the place the Charlottetown tenters are anticipated to go if they’re evicted, and what duty the pressure takes for the residents’ conditions, given police have thus far allowed — and even inspired — the tent metropolis.

Interview requests have additionally been positioned with Mathew MacKay, minister of social improvement and housing, and Alanna Jankov, councillor for Ward 1, the place one tent website is positioned.

While some parts of the tent city in the middle of Charlottetown appeared disorganized, other sites collected trash into bags and piles. - Logan MacLean — Whereas some components of the tent metropolis in the midst of Charlottetown appeared disorganized, different websites collected trash into luggage and piles. – Logan MacLean

Joint assertion

Nobody from the police or metropolis responded immediately by deadline on Aug. 5. However Mayor Philip Brown, Chief MacConnell and Housing Minister MacKay all signed off on a joint information launch that mentioned each ranges of presidency and the police division just lately grew to become conscious of non permanent encampments round Charlottetown.

“The province and town are working collectively to deal with issues, join with people occupying the non permanent encampments and establish emergency and/or short-term housing options.

“The province and municipalities work collaboratively with neighborhood companions to offer emergency and supportive housing choices whereas counting on the lively participation of people in search of housing assist.”

SaltWire Community additionally spoke on Aug. 4 with Mitchell Tweel, councillor for Ward 4, concerning the tents in his district, however he declined an interview citing he has been out of the workplace for a while, as the explanation.

As an alternative, Tweel directed SaltWire Community to talk with Coun. Greg Rivard, as chair of the protecting and emergency companies committee, and provincial officers, who finally make choices about “bricks and mortar.”

After a quick electronic mail trade, Rivard referred to as on Aug. 5. to say MacConnell is talking with the chief of Halifax Regional Police concerning the designated parks town has arrange for tent use.

Rivard didn’t point out the potential for evictions however famous this sort of police enterprise is an operational matter and town stays within the early phases of collaborating with Charlottetown Police Providers on the tent difficulty.

The highest concern is public security, Rivard mentioned, for these dwelling in tents and everybody within the neighbourhood.

Logan MacLean is a variety reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He may be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @loganmaclean94.

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