Laura Pin

Homelessness will dramatically increase in Toronto over the winter, primarily because of provincial and federal funding cuts. Because of this, Toronto's Warming Centres will not be able to meet the need.

My interview this morning with CBC Metro Morning.

www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Encampment eviction in Cambridge leaves residents with nowhere to go, say advocates As temperatures drop, a group of unhoused individuals are being forced from an encampment site in Galt, with no clear alternatives or available shelter beds, according to local advocates

Another week, another round of encampment evictions in Cambridge, ON. Appreciate that his article makes it clear local shelters are at capacity and people have no permanent housing options www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/e...

These demands for confidential information from competitions seem to be more about chilling the research environment and importing the worst impulses from US populism rather than any sort of public accountability and transparency

For example, in 2024, only 12 of 503 SSHRC Insight Grants awarded went to teams led by Indigenous researchers. Data for every competition available here sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/competiti...

This is deeply distrubing, especially as publically available data demonstrates that research proposals from many equity-deserving groups remains under-represented in Tricouncil funding.

YouTube video by APTN News How many of the TRC’s Calls to Action have been answered? | APTN News

With September 30 marking National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, APTN News looks at how many of the 94 Calls to Action have been answered since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivered its final report in 2015.

It was such a priviledge to work with the A Better Tent City (ABTC) community on this project. We use a community-engaged and qualitative approach to explore how differences in managed encampment styles impact residents and community.

A place to find community: the role of autonomy and care in managed encampments This paper explores the longest ongoing managed encampment of people experiencing homelessness in Canada: A Better Tent City (ABTC). Located in Kitchener, Ontario, ABTC hosts 48 residents, with ano...

Our article "A place to find community: the role of autonomy and care in managed encampments" was just published in Urban Geography. You can access a free copy using this link:
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/DEAA6...

I understand that today's @cambridge.ca council meeting will be debating a motion to study the impact of evictions of encampments during extreme weather events. This is the type of study that will help council make informed decisions to protect people and uphold their fundamental #HumanRights. –MJH

The Federal Housing Advocate meeting with advocates, service providers, and encampment residents

The Federal Housing Advocate meeting with advocates, service providers, and encampment residents

A community whiteboard with a drawing that says "Housing is a human right!"

Photo of the 100 Victoria Street encampment in Kitchener

Yesterday, I visited #Cambridge and #Kitchener, Ontario. I heard about the challenges experienced by people living in #encampments and organizations that support them.

Phone delegations limit the ability to participate - Councillors will be unable to see my face and body language. I will be unable to see them while I delegate and respond to their body language.

Community advocates have written some excellent responses in favour of Cllrs Hamilton and Earnshaw's motion re preventing extreme weather encampment evictions in Cambridge this Tuesday 1/6 pub-cambridge.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

Ballots Without Barriers: Empowering Unhoused Voters during the 2025 Ontario Election | Perspectives Journal Despite legislative guarantees under the Canada Elections Act, practical barriers continue to hold one of the country’s most marginalized populations back from political participation.

Earlier this year our team partnered with students from the Master of Applied Politics program at @wilfridlaurieruni.bsky.social to engage in research on barriers to election participation faced by people experiencing homelessness, and best practices for addressing these barriers.

Proud to see four Laurier MAP students here, publishing on barriers to voting while unhoused in Ontario from their collaborative work with @wrcls.bsky.social. Congratulations Mary, Romanpreet, Lily and Aya!

Kitchener Central (Social Development Centre Waterloo Re...) - RIDE 2025 What moves you? The Ride for Refuge is a family-friendly fundraising bike + walk in support of local charities serving people seeking hope, safety, and freedom. Join us Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025!

Time for the Ride for Refuge, and once again I'll be riding in support of SDC and the amazing work they do in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge community. Would love some company! More info here: rideforrefuge.org/location/kit...

Congratulations to @wrlegalservices.bsky.social, supporting community members, and residents of 100 Vic. Maybe RoW should drop the bylaw so we can all focus on permanent, accessible, low barrier housing options.

City urged by federal housing advocate not to evict homeless encampments during heat waves Police confirm Cambridge is the only municipality in Waterloo region currently enforcing the Tresspass to Property Act in homeless encampments

The City of Cambridge has been issuing eviction notices during heat waves to people experiencing homelessness all summer. Federal housing advocate urges the City to "avoid creating additional harm" www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/c...

Today, during a heatwave, Cambridge bylaw and police used heavy machinery to throw out 4 unhoused peoples personal belongings. With no suitable shelter options, they face serious health risks. Evictions should be paused during extreme weather. Learn a better way: homelesshub.ca/book/office-...

Thanks Adrian Quijano @communityedition.bsky.social for your coverage of the (misnomer) Safer Municipalities Act and the harms it creates locally for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness www.communityedition.ca/a-layout-of-...

Chasing people living outside a few or hundreds of meters over, over, & over again, via threats, tickets, notices, forced removal, destroying property, intimidation, is all more work, cost, waste, horror, violence & repugnance than just offering real housing & care. Disgusting.

City of Cambridge letter head wiht the formal eviction notice printed on it, dated June 20, 2025

City of Cambridge has issued encampment eviction notices meant to be enforced during this heatwave. Instead of supporting people to stay alive, trying to push people out of their shelter. Why are we evicting people during extreme weather?

Don’t block the help: Restoring access and dignity to Kitchener encampment residents Dignity, safety and care for people living at Victoria and Weber streets should not depend on a policy loophole. They must be the foundation of how we respond to encampment communities — starting now,...

Don't block the help - community speaks out about the new site specific bylaw displacing encampment residents at 100 Vic in Kitchener: www.therecord.com/opinion/cont...

If this is the Mauleek and Don I think it is, will be a great show!

Bursting the bubble (zone): Resisting Toronto’s anti-protest bylaw Toronto’s new bubble zone anti-protest bylaw is both more and less dangerous than it may appear at first glance. Less because the bylaw’s enforceability and constitutionality are shaky, more because t...

Lawfare is increasingly being wielded to bolster the state’s ability to repress and criminalize pro-Palestinian movements.

NEW from @irinaceric.bsky.social of @windsorlaw.bsky.social on Toronto’s bubble zone bylaw:

Good morning. Plenty is happening in the Council Chamber. I've been documenting what is happening.

Striking Hamilton Water professionals are on one side of the gallery.

The Hamilton Encampment Support Network is on the other side of the gallery. The City has confronted HESN. #yhmcc #HamOnt (1/n)

Surveillance, Fences, and $5000 Fines What Bylaw 25 Says About How the Region Treats Unhoused People

Great post from Jacara via @dtkmelissa.bsky.social on the harms of bylaw 25. Consider signing the petition to reverse this bylaw (linked in the post) citified.substack.com/p/surveillan...

Sign the Petition Tell the Region of Waterloo to Repeal the 100 Victoria Encampment Eviction Bylaw

Waterloo Region folx, please consider signing this petition concerning 100 Vic. It's deeply informed by the experience of people on the ground: www.change.org/p/tell-the-r...

Hunting down and destroying the tents and belongings of people outside while the outdoor shelter is full and no more shelter spaces are coming, is destroying lives, destroying life and destroying Hamilton.

Struggling to make sense of the NDP collapse in Hamilton Centre, especially given the inexperienced parachute Liberal candidate. Similar parachute candidates did surprisingly well in other local ridings. What a dissapointing night for local representation.

As usual, a real pleasure to work with this amazing crew to highlight how lived experiences can and should shape public policy. @lpin.bsky.social