Chatham-Kent Council Amends Encampment Protocol

On Monday, July 28, Council held a special meeting to discuss the current location of the encampment, the impact that it is having on the surrounding community and explore potential measures to support neighbouring residents. Council discussed the current Encampment Protocol and strategies on how best to navigate this evolving situation.

In total, there were 28 deputations submitted on the matter, with 16 being presented in-person in Council Chambers.

Following deputations and discussion, Mayor Canniff brought forth his motion, which originally included nine points. Some amendments were made, and council voted in favour of the following revisions to the Encampment Protocol:

  • Administration continues to work in collaboration with ROCK to engage with individuals and prioritise them for services and housing as they become available.
  • Administration voluntarily transitions as many homeless individuals as possible to the new transitional cabins program thereby diminishing the number of people in encampments.
  • Administration actively pursues all options to reduce and end encampments in Chatham-Kent. This will include, but not be limited to, exploring opportunities to immediately deliver permanent supportive housing, and increased transitional cabins. A report back from administration on possible options and costing be returned to Council as soon as possible. The same recommendations should be presented to the provincial and federal government for financial assistance.
  • Administration explore local housing options that could be quickly converted into supportive housing and report back on feasibility and costs.
  • The current encampment protocols be amended to include a provision that there is to be no more than one tent per person, and that all personal items be stored within a tent (with exception of a bicycle and small structures for pets); and items in contravention to this will be removed following notice. Administration be directed to enhance the frequency of refuse collection at encampment sites.
  • Administration bring back a by-law as soon as possible to allow for the enforcement of the approved protocols to begin.
  • Administration hire an additional temporary by-law officer to enforce these amendments. Administration to report back recommendations on numbers and costs based on the approved protocol amendments.
  • CK Police install CCTV cameras where operationally required at the sole discretion of Chatham-Kent Police.
  • Administration bring a report back to the September 8, 2025 Council meeting with a plan to engage partners from mental health, medical supports, addictions, housing, ROCK that could provide supports (including crisis support alongside enforcements) to the people staying at encampments. This report should include creative solutions and best practice examples used across the province, and will also include related costs to CK.
  • Regular neighbourhood communication begins immediately with appropriate members of administration, residents and business owners in the 325 Grand Ave E, Chatham property area until further notice.


Councillor Alysson Storey put forth a successful motion to refer the first point of Mayor Canniff’s motion back to administration, which would have restricted encampments within 100m of either residential or commercial properties as well as 25m from a construction site and 10m from a recreational path. Councillor Storey’s motion read:

“That recommendation 1 be referred to administration in order to ensure an informed and transparent decision process to the August meeting where Administration can report back with locations that fit within the setback radius; permitting the public to provide feedback and deputations on the implications of setback distances in the by law.” This report will come back before Council at the August 11th Council meeting.

In response to the final point in the motion regarding regular communication, a dedicated Let’s Talk page has been set up for residents to learn more information and receive ongoing communications about the encampment:

www.LetsTalkChatham-Kent.ca/EncampmentUpdates