TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sharply criticized a recent court decision that allows a temporary road-side tent encampment to remain in place, pushing back against a judicial ruling that halted a municipal effort to clear the site for a new multi-million dollar transit facility.
The controversy stems from an Ontario Superior Court ruling that deemed a municipal bylaw to evict residents from the Kitchener encampment unconstitutional. In response, Premier Ford made it clear that he will not hesitate to use the “notwithstanding clause”—a constitutional power that allows provincial legislatures to override certain sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms—if the courts continue to block the project.
Speaking at a press conference originally called to mark a milestone regarding the new Ontario Science Centre construction, Ford expressed his frustration with the judicial system. While he noted he possesses respect for the courts, he stated it was unacceptable for the interests of roughly 30 encampment residents to derail an essential public transit infrastructure project intended to serve millions of commuters. He further criticized the presiding judge’s stance, calling the decision “ridiculous” and out of touch with the needs of the broader community.
Despite his strong rhetoric, Premier Ford stated he is not ready to immediately invoke the notwithstanding clause just yet. He indicated that he wants to give the judicial system another opportunity to correct the course through the standard legal process. The province expects the regional municipality to appeal the ruling, at which point the Ontario government intends to formally intervene. If the legal appeals fail, however, the Premier signaled that legislative override remains a definitive option on the table to ensure the transit hub moves forward.
