Update: Encampment response - 20th Street and Avenue K

Updated to include 9:15 a.m. statement.

2:00 p.m. - Updated Statement

The clean-up and fencing activity for the encampment at 20th Street and Avenue K has been paused.

The level of aggressive protest from community advocacy groups has made any work at the site unsafe.

Fire and partner agency workers report most of the protest activity does not involve homeless occupants.

Crews had been prepared to clean up two vacant lots on 19th Street and Avenue K however, protesters encircled contractor vehicles, going so far as to climb on top of the fencing stacked on one of them.

Saskatoon Fire Department, police officers and other partner agency staff were confronted by aggressive protesters directing profane, derogatory and vulgar comments at them.

As a sign of good faith, the Saskatoon Fire Department was opting to forgo a clean-up of 301 Avenue K South as that address is the subject of a court application that will be heard next week.

We know this is frustrating for many in our community, notably the St. Mary’s school families and staff who have been asking for officials to take action for the past year.

City and partner agencies are planning next steps.

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9:15 a.m. - Statement

We know you have heard or seen some news stories or social posts about how the City has dealt with an encampment at 20th Street West and Avenue K South.

Some suggest that people be allowed to live in small communities of tents to address the lack of adequate housing.

At face value, that might seem like a reasonable response, but it has many risks and dangers, which is why the City takes a different approach by removing encampments from private or public property under the Property Maintenance Bylaw.

The City’s encampment response prioritizes outreach and connecting people with available supports and services such as access to shelter, housing, food providers, transportation and medical care.

Each response follows four phases, with outreach offered throughout the process.

Individuals are then granted some time to gather their belongings and vacate the encampment. Anything left behind is removed by City staff or contractors.

However, in light of a recent King’s Bench court filing, the lot at 301 Avenue K south will not be cleaned up. Two other adjacent lots will be cleaned.

Here are the facts:

The situation at Avenue K and 20th Street has resulted in escalating safety concerns each day. The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has received a high volume of calls, emails and concerns from residents, nearby businesses in addition to the parents and staff of St. Mary’s school, two blocks away.

The Salvation Army has been on scene since August 5, twice a week to connect people living at this site with housing, transportation, outreach and other supports. Many have accepted support.

The City relies on Saskatoon’s Property Maintenance Bylaw because it enforces safe and adequate housing.

Encampments do not meet this standard because:

• There is no access to utilities – water, sewer, heat or electricity
• There is nowhere to remove yourself from the elements

Encampments that remain in place may grow over time and increase risks such as:

• Accumulated human waste, garbage and discarded needles
• Rainwater causing contaminated waste to pool
• Attraction of pests and rodents
• Unattended or uncontrolled fires
• Increased drug use and overdose-related calls
• Reported gang activity
• Reported concerns about human exploitation or trafficking

There are growing concerns for public health as fire inspectors have observed human waste and rotting food which have attracted insects and rodents.

The City’s goal is to always support the safety and well-being of people staying at the site, but also support the safety and well-being of neighbouring residents and businesses, St. Mary’s School students and staff as well as the broader community.

Here is the background to today’s action:

On September 10, 2026, a Notice to Remedy (under the Bylaw) was issued for the Avenue K parking lot.

By September 15, the SFD reported encampments at the parking lot had grown, with additional encampments on three nearby vacant lots.

In recent weeks, The Salvation Army has noted that some people who had previously accepted support, participated in case management or used Mobile Outreach services are now declining assistance. Some individuals have told outreach workers they plan to remain at the encampment now because they believe support will be available there at the vacant lots. As a result, planning for winter supports and connections to services has stalled.

On September 21, the SFD attended the site to assess the number of structures and identify what support may be needed. At the time there were 51 structures.

The Salvation Army returned to the site on September 22 and spent four hours offering supports. SFD also served notice that a cleanup would take place and offered help to connect people with services. No one accepted supports during that visit.

SFD returned to the site on the morning of September 23 to again offer support and help people access available services.

The Ministry of Social Services was also scheduled to attend the site at 11:00 a.m. on September 23, alongside Mobile Outreach, SFD and the Saskatoon Police Service. The group was forced to leave because they were confronted by some people at the encampment who were acting aggressively, using profanity and capturing video.

SFD staff also noted community advocates appeared to outnumber the individuals who were staying in the encampment.

Following the City Council approved processes, a cleanup is scheduled for September 24. Contractors have been arranged, and fencing will be installed to help prevent future use of the site.