Halifax staff suggest city and police should apologize for 2021 encampment evictions

Halifax and its city police force have acknowledged that mistakes were made during the controversial homeless encampment evictions in the city’s downtown over three years ago. An independent civilian review conducted by a team of Toronto lawyers into the events of August 18, 2021, at the old Memorial Library revealed that decisions made by the Halifax Regional Police (HRP) and the municipality resulted in a “day of chaos” for all parties involved.
During the eviction, a large group of protestors clashed with police in front of the library as city staff attempted to remove tents and wooden shelters from the site. The review determined that HRP’s decision to go to the library was impulsive and not part of the operational plan for the day. In response to the findings, the review put forth 37 recommendations for HRP, the police board, and the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), including issuing an apology and implementing various policing policy changes.
Recently, HRM staff presented their responses to these recommendations to Halifax’s board of police commissioners. City staff, HRP, and board representatives provided input during this meeting. Bill Moore, the executive director of community safety, expressed regret over the events, stating, “This was not a good day for a whole lot of people.” He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the harm caused and providing an apology to those affected.
The staff report acknowledged that errors were made in the decision-making process during the encampment clearing in 2021, leading to individuals being placed in precarious situations. Coun. Tony Mancini highlighted that while the municipality now has better expertise in supporting homeless individuals, multiple parties, including civilians, the provincial government, and former provincial NDP leader Gary Burrill, made mistakes on that day.
Since the incident, the municipality has made significant changes to its approach to addressing homelessness, including adopting a civilian-led strategy for closing encampments. Halifax police have also enhanced their framework for deploying the Public Safety Unit and responding to demonstrations. This includes incorporating formal withdrawal plans into their operational procedures to de-escalate situations effectively.
Furthermore, new or updated policies related to the recommendations are being developed, covering areas such as the use of force, interactions with homeless individuals, and officer identification. Moore emphasized that these changes are not just lip service but are actively being implemented on the ground. Additionally, a policy is being drafted to define critical points during events and establish protocols for timely information sharing with the police board.
Mancini stressed the importance of the board’s involvement in such events and expressed disappointment that there was no engagement before the 2021 operation. The review also highlighted a missed opportunity for former HRP Chief Dan Kinsella to communicate with the police board before the operation, hindering their oversight responsibilities.
Looking ahead, regional council will discuss how and when an apology should be issued, along with other recommended responses. Moore is set to become Halifax’s first public safety commissioner, overseeing emergency services and community safety integration. He plans to explore ways to enhance coordination and resource utilization across these services, potentially including shared training facilities.
In conclusion, the acknowledgment of mistakes made during the homeless encampment evictions in Halifax underscores the importance of learning from past errors and implementing changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in policing and community safety is crucial for fostering trust and cooperation within the city.