Toronto municipal workers began dismantling a homeless encampment outside St. Stephen-in-the-Fields Anglican Church on Thursday, following fire officials’ warnings about increased fire risks. About a dozen residents left the site in the Kensington Market neighbourhood after Toronto Fire Services ordered the removal of all flammable materials earlier this week.
The city and church confirmed that the initial notice to vacate was issued on Tuesday, with a final notice posted on Wednesday. City officials said all residents were offered shelter spaces, and seven individuals accepted the offer to move into temporary housing. This clearance follows a similar recent operation at Dufferin Grove Park.
Rev. Canon Maggie Helwig, the church’s priest, expressed deep sadness over the eviction, noting that many of the residents had become her friends over the years. The church has served as an encampment site for roughly four years and had not received an eviction notice since November 2023.