The City of Orillia says “clean up efforts are nearly complete” after an encampment was forced to clear out near the city’s Rail Trail on Tuesday. The encampment was along a section of the trail near Memorial Avenue between Highway 12 and James Street. An evacuation order was issued by the city last week, according to members of city council. On Tuesday, bylaw officers were on location to remove the residents of the encampment, joined by provincial police. “The city recently addressed encampments on city property following complaints about accumulated waste, unsafe fires and the safety of passers-by on the adjacent trail system,” the City of Orillia said in a statement to CTV News. “Our approach is focused on balancing compassion with our obligation to ensure public safety, protect municipal lands and respond to community concerns,” the city said. “We work with the County of Simcoe and OPP and the Lighthouse Outreach team also attended to offer support,” said the city. Lighthouse Outreach tells CTV News approximately 10 to 15 people lived at the encampment before they moved. “OPP was present (Tuesday) in a peacekeeping capacity at the request of the City of Orillia Bylaw, while they carried out their responsibilities,” said Ashley Taylor with the OPP. In a statement to CTV News, Taylor said “our role was limited to maintaining public safety and preserving the peace.” “There were no arrests made by the OPP in connection with this matter,” said Taylor. According to Lighthouse, an estimated 40 people are currently living in various encampments across Orillia. CTV News has reached out to members of Orillia city council and Lighthouse Outreach for further comment.
