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Police and the fire department moved Thursday morning to remove an encampment that grew to dozens of tents on Saskatoon’s west side.
Deputy fire chief Yvonne Raymer told media at city hall the action happened Thursday because officials needed time to co-ordinate with police after an attempt last month to clear the encampment at 20th Street and Avenue K was thwarted by aggressive protesters.
Raymer said since midnight on Monday, fire department staff have responded to four fires associated with encampments in the city, including two near the site being cleared Thursday.
Raymer said the removal effort was supported by community-based and Indigenous organizations, as well as provincial government agencies.
Police Chief Cam McBride said in a city news release that the police force aimed to ensure “an orderly and peaceful transition” for people from the encampment. (CBC)
“Every agency involved in this has the same goal: to ensure people are safe and that they are living in a safe environment,” Raymer said. “The partner agencies acknowledge this action is an emotional and complex issue and are determined to approach it with respect and compassion.”
One of the recent fires destroyed a tent and spread to trees at Optimist Park, which is located south of the large encampment, Raymer said. Another fire six hours later also spread to brush and trees in the park.
The Saskatoon Fire Department and police officers move in to remove a homeless encampment at 20th Street and Avenue K South on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2026 in Saskatoon. (Liam O’Connor/CBC)
The encampment is located on two lots of city-owned land between 19th and 20th streets.
Raymer said people at the site had declined help from social service agencies. The population of the encampment was difficult to determine due to the presence of protesters, she added.
“Our community has heard a lot of talk in the news and social media that encampments or tent cities are a reasonable solution to the shelter and housing crisis Saskatoon faces,” Raymer said. “A few seconds of video on a digital platform often does not tell the full story.”
Saskatoon deputy fire chief Yvonne Raymer holds a news conference Thursday morning to explain why crews are clearing a homeless encampment on private property at 20th Street and Avenue K South.
The action happened a day after the second attempt at an interim injunction to try to prevent the removal of the encampment was denied by a Court of King’s Bench judge.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said in a news release issued by the city that encampments are dangerous.
Police Chief Cam McBridge was quoted in the same news release as saying the force aims to prevent violence and ensure an “orderly and peaceful transition” for people from the encampment.
