City of Hamilton begins rail trail encampment teardown, residents left struggling

The City of Hamilton has begun tearing down the encampments that are scattered across the escarpment’s rail trail, but the people who live there say they have nowhere else to go.

This all started earlier in the week when the authorities began handing out fines to anyone who was staying there, and now, many of them are struggling to move their belongings and figure out where exactly they’re supposed to go.

A crackdown of enforcement is underway along Hamilton’s rail trail.

“The police have uh, this morning, like yesterday, sealed both sides of the trail off, so the only way in and out is the tracks, but they have the CN police there giving out tickets to anyone crossing, so we’re pretty much hostage.” said JP, one of the residents.

Throughout Saturday, police had the trail closed, while city workers began clearing the tents that are scattered throughout the woods.

“For some reason they’re trying to kick everybody out. They came, gave us all 24 hour notice to get out of here, and otherwise they’re going to come take our *censored,* sorry, our stuff, and now they are.” said an unnamed man.

Many of those staying here say there’s nowhere else to go, shelters are full, some have dogs that prevent them from being accepted. Others, simply don’t feel safe in those spaces.

“Before the CN police were all down here, Friday, every entrance was blocked, only way in and out was the tracks, sixty five dollar ticket.” JP said.

Those living here say the encampment is home to far more people than it may seem.

The cycle is familiar to many. Constant displacement, few options, each time they move, they risk losing what little they have.

“They’re trying to do it again, and we’re kind of tired of losing all our belongings, like that’s our life. They just took it, when we came back there was just an empty dirt pile.” said an unnamed woman.

“I’m devastated. I have to move, every single day. Every single day. What is Andrea Horwarth doing?” said the unnamed man.

CHCH reached out to the city to try and find out roughly how many people are staying here and where they’re all supposed to go, but we haven’t heard back. It’s also unclear if this is going to continue on Sunday.