Residents of the encampment at Brookside were served notice by security on Monday at around 4 p.m. stating they needed to move on within 48 hours.
In light of the January 27th ruling by the Ontario Supreme Court, many of those living on Provincial land are questioning the validity of any order to move, citing the ruling that if they have no place to go, then they should be allowed to stay.
Jason is one of those encamped.
Doug is Jason’s father.
What we do know is that there are many reasons for being homeless, not the least of which is a dire shortage of affordable housing.
Doug told us he’s confused because the January 27th ruling should have set a precedence.
Northumberland County and it’s partners keep saying that space is available, but it changes on a daily basis and has yet to be enough for all those at the encampment. Right now estimates have it that between 15 to 20 people are currently living rough at Brookside.
Jason told us that those living at the encampment were not given any options by those that served them notice on Monday.
Doug told us about his experience when he visited Jason to drop off some supplies.
The question facing those encamped now is one of where to go next.
Circling back to the main argument to support the encampment staying at Brookside, Doug said that the rules should apply equally, and what’s been happening in Cobourg is just not right.
While Northumberland County and it’s partners continue to try and find a solution for those preferring to fend for themselves instead of submitting to the system – a system that has particular thresholds and requirements in order to be accepted into it – those that are currently without a home are trying to avoid thinking about what comes next with winter only weeks away.
Written by Joseph Goden with files from Noah Lorusso
