The mounds of trash at Yellowknife’s homeless encampment only grew over the weekend, as some campers left, with about five remaining.
A CKLB reporter spoke with some of those at the Aspen Apartments parking lot today.
We were told all the extra garbage has mostly been abandoned by former tenants of the camp, many of whom are now set up beside a trail behind the NWT Legislative Assembly building.
The homeless encampment Monday on 51st Street in the Aspen Apartments parking lot. (Mariah Caruso CKLB)
There was also apparently an arrest made Sunday morning, for unknown reasons, with the tenants having their ripped up yesterday morning. CKLB has not been able to confirm this.
It’s been a week since they’re received any food or water donations.
The territorial government on Sept. 6 established last Tuesday as a deadline to leave. That deadline was subsequently pushed back to Friday.
The portable toilets and fencing the GNWT had set up have been removed, and workers have been at the site a few times this week to start cleaning and throwing away garbage.
It’s unknown where the remaining residents are going to the bathroom.
The GNWT is “examining its options” with respect to those who chose to stay beyond the established deadline, stated an emailed request for information.
Encampment residents are still able to access safe storage for their belongings and are encouraged to make use of shelters and other housing options that are available to them, stated the email.
GNWT staff have confirmed that there has been shelter space available in the city every evening from August 12 until now, stated the email.
The GNWT is still hoping for a timely and cooperative resolution to this issue, while also exploring legal options and processes as next steps in vacating the site.
– With files from James O’Connor
