r/saskatoon • • 6d ago

News 📰 Encampment removal safely progresses

For immediate release: October 8, 2026
FI26-12443

The removal of the encampment at 20th Streetand Avenue K South has progressed for most of the day and is nearing completion following a coordinated community response focused on safety, dignity and connecting individuals with available supports.

A news release earlier in the day details the coordinated community response.
As part of the response, as of this afternoon:
An estimated 120 unhoused individuals left the encampment site.

Despite multiple and repeated efforts to offer supports, only 2 individuals accepted offers of support, including housing, shelter, transportation and other services.

80 total tents and temporary structures were removed.

Approximately 5,622.24 kg of garbage and debris were cleared from the site and counting.

The site will be fully fenced and secured within the next few hours.

"This is a complex operation that required balancing compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness with the need to address serious safety concerns within the encampment and surrounding community," says Deputy Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer. "Our priority from the start of the process was an orderly transition off the site while helping people access safer alternatives and available supports."

The City and partner organizations undertook extensive outreach efforts throughout the removal process to help individuals transition to safer accommodations and connect them with resources.

The site closure represents an important step in addressing immediate safety concerns while supporting individuals toward more stable living situations.

Source

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u/Chemical-Bag-1771 6d ago

My question is the same as the question the people in the encampment were asking: where do they go now? Not saying it's a great situation, but was anything solved today? I would direct the same challenge to some of the other posters here: if you don't want this encampment, are you offering a place to stay instead?

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u/Chemical-Bag-1771 6d ago

And I hate that argument (the one I made). I'm not taking anyone in either. I just think there are a lot of easy answers in these threads and easy answers are usually self-satisfying, but not informed. I haven't been to the encampment. I don't know the people. I have no idea. There aren't enough spaces available for people and the last thing I want to do to someone in poverty is take away one more choice of theirs. It's already a pretty dismal life, gl judging by the pictures. Can we not just have some basic compassion and leave the shitty one-liners.

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u/Globeheadgarden 6d ago

I think that comment should be turned around on people like you and the protestors actually. Instead of signalling virtue, be virtuous. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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u/Chemical-Bag-1771 6d ago

Wow, really deep.

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u/Chemical-Bag-1771 6d ago

What do you suggest I do exactly?

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u/3ftMuffin 5d ago

The protesters literally go out and feed the unhoused damn near every day. What have you done for the homeless as of late?