November 14, 2025, 2:12pm
IntegrityTO is expressing serious concern that Councillor Bradford’s original motion, aimed at enhancing safety around parks, playgrounds, daycares, and schools—was amended so extensively by City Council that its impact has been rendered minimal.
Councillor Bradford was right to propose that the City of Toronto, working with the Inter-Divisional Protocol, prioritize and initiate the removal of all encampments within 200 metres of sensitive community spaces where children and families gather. IntegrityTO acknowledges that this would encompass more than 200 encampment sites across the city—a significant undertaking. But with Toronto’s nearly $19 billion operating budget and the $900-million-and-growing Toronto Shelter and Support Services Division, the City undeniably has the resources to carry out such a critical public-safety effort. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“The revised motion is a watered-down version of Councillor Bradford’s proposal, and limiting action on encampments within only 50 metres of daycares and other sensitive locations will have a negligible effect,” said IntegrityTO Executive Director Daniel Tate.
“As it stands, an encampment engaging in open drug use, fire hazards, or antisocial and unsafe behaviour driven by severe addiction or mental-health crises can simply relocate to 51 metres away.”
Tate added: “To put this in perspective, 50 metres is roughly the width of Yonge-Dundas Square from west to east. It is such a short distance that it provides a questionable buffer—barely felt, hardly observed. The risk to families, children, and everyday citizens remains. This motion, in its amended form is wholly unsatisfactory.”
IntegrityTO is calling on all levels of government to adopt a firmer, more decisive approach to encampments in and around spaces where families and children congregate, and to finally prioritize the safety and well-being of law-abiding residents.