Local artists, activists and mutual‑aid groups collaborate to spotlight the ongoing fight against displacement at Kitchener‑Waterloo’s largest encampment.
A benefit concert, hosted by the Emmanuel United Church on Jan. 17, 2026, with a lineup consisting of five bands (“Dear Evangeline,” “Cease,” “Gutter Girl,” “One More Lane” and “Fenech”) was put together by local Kitchener-Waterloo organizations PublicSeatingDIY and Fight Back! KW, with the goal of raising both awareness and supplies for our neighbours at 100 Victoria St (100vic).
Each band delivered, amazingly. The bands did a spectacular job of not just solely entertaining the audience with their loud, and fast punk sound (hardcore being a slightly more specific way of describing it), but also connecting and expressing the feelings of the public regarding the current situation.
Well, what’s going on? 100vic in Kitchener-Waterloo is home to a large encampment community filled with individuals who are currently unhoused. In July 2022, there was an application for eviction filed against them by the Waterloo region. It was combatted and found to be in violation of charter rights on Jan. 27, 2023. Yet theKitchener-Waterloo region continues to persist in its mission to evict our unhoused neighbours.
Nine months ago, on April 16th,2025 the Region of Waterloo publicly announced by-law “PDL-LEG-25-017.” It was then passed on April 23, 2025, almost unanimously. The situation has not gotten better. The most recent change has been a simple push of the deadline – originally set for Dec. 1, 2025, it has now been pushed to April 1, 2026.
There is a current injunction in place, but with the Superior Court hearing being postponed, our neighbours will have virtually no time to find shelter given the 30-day vacancy notice being imposed, if passed by the Superior Court. Currently only 28.3 per cent of our unhoused neighbours within the Kitchener-Waterloo region arebeing provided shelter, meaning that 71.7 per cent of people are currently unprotected from these cold winter nights. (Statistics provided by Fight Back! KW.)
The solution to displacement is not further displacement. The temperature has been dropping, and the layers needed to keep warm are rising. So, what are people doing to help? Numerous beneficial things are happening throughout Kitchener-Waterloo. Local groups like Fight Back! KW and Food Not Bombs Kitchener-Waterloo,have been providing constant care and attention to this ongoing situation, organizing numerous mutual aid events.
But what can you do? As mentioned, I had the great pleasure of attending one of these events, and at this event I was able to connect with Willa, the head of PublicSeatingDIY, and get some of her insight on what members of the Laurier community can do to help, as well as how to organize their own events.
Generally, one of the biggest issues is lack of awareness. “One big thing is to talk about it, to know what’s happening and to stay aware of everything,” explained Willa, and it’s extremely true. Socially, from a young age we are told to walk past our neighbours in need. Whether it be teachers or family, we are taught to act as if a largeand pivotal part of our community simply did not exist, and as a result, the injustices faced by our neighbours are often overlooked.
Active peer-to-peer communication about these issues is one of the most impactful actions that you, as a student, can take. Take the time to educate yourself, do the research required and impart that knowledge to whoever is listening.
Another great point was made in my conversation with Willa. “There’s unfortunately a big bureaucratic process to all this.” There is a level of inaccessibility to the public that tends to come up with any sort of governmental process. The public may receive these documents, but they are not necessarily accessible, which often fuels the larger issue of unawareness.
Check out Fight Back! KW is a great place to start when it comes to both education and taking action. They frequently post updates, important petitions to sign and also accept donations. Hosting events and raising supplies for our neighbours at 100vic yourself is also an option.
When asked about advice for students looking to organize shows, Willa responded, “Fully realizing the process of it is a big thing–it’s just all about asking people,” and really, that is all it is. Doing things 100 per cent and making sure to get them done, if it really means something to you, even if the turnout is not huge. Any help is better than no help, so do as much as you can.
Contributed Photo/ Gabriel Loperena Tovar
