Region calls cleanup at a Kitchener encampment ‘regular maintenance’

Crews could be seen cleaning up the Kitchener encampment on March 28, 2025. (CTV News/Dave Pettitt)

Clean up efforts at a Kitchener encampment at Weber and Victoria Streets is being called “regular maintenance” by the Region of Waterloo.

Crews could be seen wearing what appeared to be hazmat-like suits, clearing up parts of the encampment Friday afternoon.

According to the region, the maintenance was planned for the site now that the snow has melted.

“I hope they’re not dismantling it. That is their only home right now,” said an anonymous viewer, who called CTV Kitchener about the cleaning crews at the encampment.

A spokesperson for the region did not provide details regarding the work that’s being done.

The encampment started in 2021 and quickly grew to more than 60 tents by 2022.

It was reduced to less than a dozen tents early in 2023 but started to grow again shortly after.

Earlier this year, the region voted to not cut encampment security funding during a budget debate.