An encampment, located on private property near the Duke Street area in Wallaceburg, was disbanded on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Eric Labadie, manager of corporate communications for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, told the Sydenham Current the property owner advised the occupants that they were required to leave the site and requested their removal from the property.
“Housing Services has been working closely with Chatham-Kent By-law Enforcement, Chatham-Kent Police Service, the Walpole Island Warming Centre, and the ROCK outreach team to support the individuals affected and help identify alternative shelter and housing options,” Labadie said.
“Through that work, a number of individuals have been able to make alternative arrangements. Some are relocating to Chatham to access available shelter and supports, some are returning to Walpole Island, and others have arranged to stay with friends or family.”
Approximately 17 individuals indicated they had no alternative place to stay, Labadie added.
“They approached municipal staff and Police with specific locations in Wallaceburg where they were considering moving to,” he said.
“Staff reviewed those locations against the criteria established under the Council approved Encampment Protocol. As you may remember, that protocol was based on reviews of best practices across the Province, legal advice regarding constitutional rights that unhoused persons have to shelter on public lands, and a number of Council meetings in which public and Councillor feedback informed the final Protocol and Bylaw.”
Labadie added: “The PUC property on Base Line Road was assessed against the Protocol, and as that location meets the Protocol criteria, individuals were advised that they were permitted to shelter there. Municipal staff are connecting directly with immediate neighbours to advise them of the situation. Arrangements are also expected to be made for basic services at the site, including washrooms and garbage collection.”
Labadie said the Municipality remains focused on helping people move from encampments into more appropriate housing and shelter.
“Our teams will continue working directly with the individuals at the site to connect them with available housing, shelter and support services,” he added.
We’ll provide more details as they become available.
