Residents of the tent city in St. John’s, known as the Bannerman Park Encampment, are expressing concerns about the lack of support from the government and the unsafe conditions they are facing. The encampment has grown significantly in recent months, with an estimated 25 residents now living in tents.
According to Laurel Huget, a representative of Tent City for Change, a group of volunteers supporting the residents, the encampment has persisted throughout the winter and is not going away as summer approaches. The province has attempted to address the issue by providing shelters and accommodations, including a three-year lease on a St. John’s hotel, but residents claim they are being kicked out of shelters and facing dangerous conditions.
A recent incident involving a propane fire in the encampment raised further concerns about safety. One resident, Greg Mcain, lost half of his tent and an estimated $1,200 worth of possessions in the incident. Despite the fire, Mcain does not see any better options for himself and expects the number of residents in the encampment to continue growing.
Residents of the tent city are pleading with the government to provide them with adequate housing and support, including electricity in the Colonial Building, which has been turned off for months. They maintain that the encampment is a protest against the lack of affordable housing and the failure of the government to meet their needs.
