Halifax council narrowly votes to keep list of potential designated encampments

A motion before Halifax Regional Council on Tuesday calling for a list of nine potential designated encampment sites to be rescinded was defeated in a close vote.

The motion, brought forward by Mayor Andy Fillmore, sought to rescind the list, which includes Point Pleasant Park as a potential site for a homeless encampment.

Councillors Sam Austin, Shawn Cleary, Billy Gillis, Dabid Hendsbee, Becky Kent, Kathryn Morse, Jean St-Amand and Janet Steele voted against the motion, which was defeated by a vote of 8-7.

“It’s meaningless,” Cleary said during debate. “What happens for us on the ground tomorrow, whether we approve this or not, makes no difference to our staff, makes no difference to folks living in tents, makes no difference for the province trying to put together winter shelters or tiny homes or pallet shelters.”

Bill Moore, executive director of the city’s community safety department, previously said there are more than 85 people at the green spaces.

Two locations on the list of nine potential encampments have been officially designated since the summer when the list was put together, with people now sleeping rough at Cogswell Park and Geary St. green space.

“There are still 150 people out there, and 10 added per week,” said councillor Billy Gillis. “Our existing sites are full. If we de-designate, we’re just going to have to ramp back up.”

All locations were chosen for their proximity to public transit and other services, and for their distance from schools, parks, gardens, or culturally sensitive areas.

In February, Halifax asked unhoused people to leave Victoria Park and four other previously authorized encampments, including in front of city hall.

The list that tracks people experiencing homelessness in Halifax has grown to 1,316 people.

With files from The Canadian Press.