Yellowknife Council Approves Plan to Ban Camping on City Land

Yellowknife city council approved a set of recommendations Wednesday that include a ban on camping on municipal land and a directive to encourage encampment residents to relocate to Commissioner's Land. Mayor Ben Hendriksen said the city lacks authority over housing, social services, and health care, which fall under territorial jurisdiction.

“When it comes to issues like housing, social services, health care, these are [Government of Northwest Territories] responsibilities. The city actually has no authority or legal responsibility in these spaces,” said Hendriksen.

The approved approach calls for collaboration between city and territorial officials. Bylaw officers may be dispatched to encampments on municipal or territorial land to enforce existing rules while respecting Charter rights. City staff could also join territorial representatives or RCMP officers to monitor new or abandoned sites, occupant numbers, garbage, and fire-pit use.

Encouraging residents to move to territorial land is described as a last resort after offers of shelter. Council also endorsed municipal enforcement priorities that increase officer visibility downtown and adopt a rights-based, multi-agency response to encampments.

Last year council directed staff to propose bylaws addressing encampments and associated conduct. Hendriksen noted that most existing encampments have been on territorial land and that municipal land constitutes only a small portion of the city. One potential municipal site mentioned is Somba K’e Park.

, stated in writing that the territorial government will review the motion and continue coordinated work with the city. Hendriksen said the city operates some outreach programs with federal funding and that clarifying legal and financial responsibilities remains an ongoing task.