Toronto's Largest Homeless Encampment | Downtown Walk

A downtown Toronto walk from College Station to the Allan Gardens which has become the site of the city's largest homeless encampment.
1:25 - East on Carlton Street (from College Station)
8:22 - Allan Gardens
Recorded in 4K at 60 FPS on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
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[@berthagreen1620]

I’ve watched other homeless videos. I must admit that this had to be the nicest , cleanest homeless camp I’ve seen.

[@jabmalassie]

There are still needles, and it often smells. It is a sad thing.

[@Luke-no1qd]

very early stage of the encampment

[@JT-il4lo]

because more tax dollars are being spent to make them look cleaner

[@Northwind82]

Vancouver is way worse

[@acidmodz]

@@jabmalassiecompared to any other major city homeless encampment I’ve seen, Toronto’s is beautiful

[@gogilbert1402]

I really appreciate the courage behind releasing a video like this. It's really hard to show the problem without accidentally sparking up political debates (or heated debates in the comments lol). Videos like this are important, because living in ignorance is bad. I think you did a great job of documenting this issue while remaining impartial for the camera, probably the best thing you could've done.

[@trevaush]

Good sound

[@Failed-Loser]

What's so Brave about this... Just grab a vdo and you have to be jobless and that's it

[@trevaush]

It’s Great to have this situation publicized. We need many people to become aware. However, a couple of hundred people camping in the park is nothing to what it could become. Compared to the refugee camps of tens of thousands of people crushed together in other countries.

[@apscoradiales]

@@trevaush "...Compared to the refugee camps of tens of thousands of people crushed together in other countries...", Canada is not supposed to be another Syria!!! Canada is supposed to be a wealthy country giving everyone a chance for decent living. It is NOT that any more. Sorry to tell you, but in places, it's a dump!

[@esdeath2532]

Am homeless too and went to Mississauga because it’s safer there and there’s a lot more parks that you can camp in forest type of parks and then in Toronto some homeless people are crazy and will try to rob you you can’t go to shelters cause you’ll get robbed I’ve tested this to, so yeah I’m surprise there’s a big ass camp like that all the homeless people should just gather up together and just do that in every single park to make a point that we need help .

[@SomethingAboutBeautee]

You should see downtown Hamilton right now because not only are the streets overrun with homeless people but many are seniors and it breaks my heart. 😢

[@LostinNost]

ODSP is criminally low and disabled people of all kinds are unable to afford shelter

[@MyOwnShedOfLight]

I was in Hamilton and Toronto for the summer.....homeless. Toronto's way more comfortable to be. Hamilton shelters fed me though, and I found a place to go in Hamilton because I knew 2 people. Honestly living in the back of a store was better than the second place I went to. LUCKILY the only thing I lost was my jacket I thought was ugly anyways. However I still hope the person who stole it loses it.

[@randomname9758]

I literally just came back from a 2-week visit in the US and I've seen the homeless situations in major cities but to see it in our own backyard is something else.

[@Mike.T.]

I think that's part of the problem. It seems like Canadians turn a blind eye to the problems in their own country, thinking that it only happens in the US.

[@tom..193]

LITERALLY

[@2UMADINA]

This entire time under the rock 😮

[@verbalkint1770]

A wonderfully generous shlt sandwich for torontonians to take a bite of. 😋

[@natedog2304]

Unfortunately Canada isn’t really much different than the US on a lot of metrics. Homeless is one of them.

[@cathyallen3967]

I've lived half a street north of Allan Gardens in a very nice older well kept condo with on site security since 2016. I pass the park almost every day. The homeless problem keeps getting worse. There are even more tents since you filmed and posted this 10 days ago. I pass through it sometimes and no one bothers me but l never go out at night except in a cab.

[@sirxavior1583]

I live 5min away from the Allan Gardens and my neighbors take there dogs to the dog park there, no one has been attacked or approached by anyone. Ironically I was walking home through the Allan Gardens at night, went home and then on CP24 they reported about a stabbing 10min after I passed through there. Sometimes it timing, who you associate with or just plain luck. The way you walk and give social cues helps sometimes. I always say there's the tourist walk and look vs the look of someone that's from the neibourhood.

[@marcthemeatman]

​@@sirxavior1583 theres also disputes between to parties familiar with each other over money or drugs

[@michaelgnit8476]

I was born and raised in Toronto in the 50's, 60's and 70's and you couldn't pay me to move back there now. It's changed completely.

[@michaelgnit8476]

Thanks for the heart

[@ew374]

Omg, who ruined that beautiful country 😢

[@shawncooper6776]

Thanks for showing what's going on in Toronto I'm 50 years old born and raised here I've never seen Toronto like this ever it's really sad to see what my city turned in to 😢

[@whocares4464]

Seems this is happening in every city in America and Canada! My area of town has always had a small community of homeless I'd say anywhere from 10-20 and now it's in the hundreds! Over 100 but possibly less than 200 but there is a bunch and this is in a two mile square area

[@shawncooper6776]

I see what you mean it's San Francisco Los Angeles Oakland Portland etc this is happening everywhere

[@MikoWilson]

Toronto has ALWAYS had a homeless issue. The only difference is that now homeless people aren't chased into back alleys -- they are out in the open. The difference is visability.

[@RBR-lo2ei]

Trudeau's immigration policies plus offloading the blame for lack of housing on the province is a major problem but you guys voted for him!

[@rapier1954]

@@MikoWilson Yes but stats indicate it is getting worse.

[@MarcieFoster]

I live in Toronto and I work full time and have disability benefits, and if I were to lose my current apartment I would be priced out of the city. This is the case for so so many people. Expect these numbers and encampments to rise. Studios are 2100 here in Etobicoke!

[@upstatenybob7529]

Thank you for bringing attention to this, Johnny, especially for those of us who dont live in Toronto and don't have exposure to Toronto news. Hoping the situation can be improved for everyone involved. Every city has homeless and each struggles with how to address the situation. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@JAM_2024]

I never see this reported on any local news outlets such cp24 or ctv

[@truetech4158]

I ended up moving away from a bone breakingly violent older brother in toronto after our parents passed away. Greed when enabled, sure causes alot of homelessness. Please be safe, frostbite never really produces afterlives, please vote very carefully, if and when allowed.

[@ianstuart5660]

@@truetech4158 Sorry you had to endure that. As far as voting.....Thusfar its accomplished diddly or worse. Entire economic systems need to be demolished and made equally fair for all!

[@johnsit9750]

Not in China. Not in Cuba. Not in Russia. Not in Vietnam. Not in Philipines. Not in Isreal either !

[@robfromvan]

@@ianstuart5660no they don’t

[@LimitlessThinker]

So many people are one paycheck away from becoming homeless. If they don't have the support of family or friends, they can end up that way. The winter will present a challenge. My friend told me about this. Thanks for showing this.

[@robertsabharwal9787]

BS.

[@eldeluxo]

And it makes total sense for them to stay in one of the most expensive cities in the world?

[@2Snakes]

@@eldeluxo Yup! That's where all the freebies are.

[@MJ_M]

​@@eldeluxoso if they all leave who's gonna do their jobs?

[@user-xf6ef8ec4z]

@@MJ_M They don't have jobs

[@Polski_Kabaret]

If I were homeless, I would absolutely live in a park instead of dangerous shelters.

[@viiuan]

exactly. people who run and work at certain shelters can be so evil to you, especially if you're someone they have even more incentive to discriminate against (black, queer, etc.)

[@johnjjohningtoniii2439]

I hope all of you watching understand that this is a massively growing population and that every month that goes by more and more of us will join it. Do not think you are immune because all you are at best is further up the bow of this sinking ship.

[@jameschapman7996]

exactly he maybe filming this today tomorrow he may be joining them . that goes for everyone judging these people as i no very well up to year ago i was homeless in Canada here and now got job small apt and happy it doesn't take much to become homeless

[@humorss]

@@jameschapman7996 be frugal, and brace for more sht to come.

[@PancitSuperstar]

I'm sure that some watching that video consider the homeless population to still be the fault of immigration. At least, as a visible minority, I still get hit with that 1930s idea that ' immigrants caused North American problems '.

[@browndog9402]

@@jameschapman7996 it can happen to anyone, I was homeless with a 16 year old son 9 years ago, put on the street by not 1 but 2 differant family members. we beat the odds, got a good job and moved out of the city. today my son has gone through coledge and my wife and i got back together.

[@badmariamedia]

There is enough food, water, and shelter for every person on the planet. But resources are controlled.

[@shhh3185]

More than enough

[@shhh3185]

But drug addiction will not allow you to feed your own self

[@robertsabharwal9787]

Resources are bought and sold .. nothing in life is free.

[@shauncameron8390]

And a lot of people will still squander it ultimately becoming a burden and threat to those who managed their resources wisely.

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

I was there in 2020, and wow it has gotten much worse…. Honestly with the high cost of living in Toronto, I’m surprised we aren’t more like the US now.

[@bendixonsghost7621]

Slow and steady were enroute

[@canconservative8976]

We are just as bad on a per capita basis... don't be fooled by the CBC narrative.

[@robertdemitro1520]

40 years ago it was not safe to walk through Allen Gardens after dark. Its was a very rough area and there was one murder that everyone in the area knew of in the park . It has changed A LOT . There was no play ground there in 1990s , there were not as many botanical buildings in the park and definitely there was no area for dogs . But I guess with extensive building developments, there may have changed the area a little . Its unfortunate that it has so many people living in tents in the park , but if funds coming to the Province and city for housing are held back , you will see more tent cities . Shelters are not the answer to affordable housing . The federal government should be prepared if they going to accept refugees into the country . There is an old saying " save yourself , before saving the World ! " I have the feeling that the people claiming refugee status were not expected into Canada , it's only when the plane landed they claimed to be refugees . Samething with the Quebec border and refugees coming from the US . If the Canadian government cannot house the current refugees , they need to stop raising there hand to volunteer to bring people into the country . Canada needs to take people people out tents cities , like in BC . There are plenty of Canadians living in hardship too .

[@aaronrose538]

Hmm.. 40 years ago I was a small child, and walked through the park after dark, so our memories seem to differ.

[@actionvj]

Never makes me feel good to see people living under these conditions.😕 Thanks for the walk JS. Very informative.

[@gabriellen.2886]

Some of them were trying to be quite neat and clean with their property; others not so much. Very sad to see a tent city even so. So many negative issues converge to create this huge problem - and it has affected soooo many cities now.

[@brucewayne3892]

Lol if they were trying to be "neat and clean" about their finances they wouldn't be a burden to the city.

[@gabriellen.2886]

@@brucewayne3892 I get that, bat dude. I said it appears some of them are attempting to do something positive with what they CURRENTLY have. I have my own suspicions about how some got to where they are in life, as do you - but those are suspicions.

[@multipass888]

I've become very familiar with that bike path (Sherbourne) as downtown construction has created much chaos on my usual paths. Although I dislike that route littered with garbage, broken glass and zombified humans, by that park I was very pleasantly surprised to smell Ceremonial Sage, Sweet Grass and the pleasant smell of campfire (wood, not garbage burning) on my recent ride by there. Reggae was playing and the vibe was very peaceful. Upon seeing your video, it looks like the cleanest tent city I've seen. Even the portapotties look decent from the outside - not vandalized. No, it's not a good situation by far, but these people look like they are just trying to get by in a peaceful and unusually neat encampment.

[@dustynn.9030]

Most of these tents look well maintained which might be an indication that this is not a large drug problem but an affordable housing problem. Some of those people have full time jobs, but struggle to affard $1,900 per month on rent.

[@chinadollfmd]

If you share an apartment with 4 people, it becomes affordable. Migrant workers in China, live in a single room shared by 8 so they could survive in Hong Kong. This is a way if you really apply yourself. Don't expect Toronto to hand them the keys to a condo on the 26th floor and BMW.

[@madmanx58]

Sounds like excuses

[@mrcool76789]

naw , 90% of those people are on drugs, let's not lie here

[@covered_in_moss]

Have you heard of safe supply?

[@sunsunsunh]

​@@mrcool76789could be people with disabilities and not only drugs

[@BogusBambini]

I lived across the street from that park 15 years ago and would routinely walk through it after midnight when returning home from visiting friends. I never felt unsafe but has that ever changed. I left Toronto 7 years ago and am glad I am not around to see its precipitous downfall. I was absolutely appalled to see this tent city when I returned in May.

[@aaronrose538]

Vote Liberal.

[@Mistique-blu18]

I am really impressed with these well done ,informative ,not judgemental videos of Toronto. Allen Gardens is a beautifully landscaped big piece of land right in the heart of downtown. You showed a very human side to the encampment . The different facts and figures that you share are important. Thank you for ..walking your talk.

[@DuluthCentral218]

I saw this coming at least 10 years ago when all these luxury condos began going up & the residential hotels closed.

[@Neville60001]

@duluthdenfeld, those hotels are _not_ a solution to housing problems; actual _housing_ (with low _affordable_ *_monthly_* rent and _not_ hourly rates) needs to be built.

[@DuluthCentral218]

@@Neville60001they’re not a solution for homelessness but places that used to exist for hard-to-house populations like the YMCA/YWCA have either become much more specific about who they will house or have closed down altogether. Many of the single-room units were all a lot of people had & especially if you wanted to be able to remain downtown & close to services/appointments, that was as affordable as it gets. I know because I lived above Filmores from 1992-2021, and I was lucky to be able to stay even though it was technically a ‘hotel’. Still, seeing all those tents in Allan Gardens is troubling. I’m not sure what the solution is.

[@2Snakes]

@@DuluthCentral218 Neville likes to talk about "affordable housing" to get likes on KZbin.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@Neville60001 Not with land values, permit fees and building costs the way they are. And affordable = taxpayer-subsidized to compensate for the money lost due to tenants being undercharged.

[@flowerpower1054]

It breaks my heart to see what has become of my hometown. That park used to be beautiful, I used to take kids I babysat to the park there in the summer. Would you happen to know any statistics on how many children may possibly live in the encampment?

[@percivalmcdiarmid5111]

Thank you for the video. This homeless camp is the cleanest one i ever seen. It not like that in most city's.

[@apscoradiales]

Toronto had a homeless problem already back in the late 90's when I worked downtown. Now, it's obviously gotten much worse. I used to see more homeless downtown Toronto then I would see in Manhattan. Canada is not the same country that my parents came to.

[@dominicdo2719]

I've been living in Toronto since the 90s. There's always a ton of homeless people there and it's because of the homeless shelter that's nearby. If you live in Toronto long enough then you'd know to be careful around that area. Even when driving through you gotta be extra attentive as those people will cross the street and walk at their own pace regardless of the traffic. It's a shitty situation for them but it seems like the government doesn't care enough to regulate housing.

[@DiggyScott]

This. Although the situation has gotten worse recently, anyone who's lived downtown for any time at all knows this area has had homeless/drug issues for decades. Allen Gardens in particular. The 'i can't believe this is Toronto' sentiment is either naive/ignorant or hyperbolic. That being said I don't think there's anything wrong with making this video and am not attacking the creator, just want to give some perspective.

[@JoniMitchell-qi6hr]

The cleanest encampment I have seen in Ontario yet that is not an official camping ground I hope you all continue to keep it clean If you are camping there❤😢

[@Neville60001]

@@DiggyScott, that was a great perspective.

[@MsKleinlaut]

@@DiggyScott I lived and worked in that area more than 60 years ago and the area was not like this. Most of those free loafers are from outside of Toronto.

[@Curling_Rack]

that area is called "The Track"

[@Geo-yb9jz]

came around here on a school trip gave them food and talked to them people here are nice ive heard about their struggles living here like some guy got their phone stolen but they push through it

[@sherrigosse354]

It's disgusting how expensive it is to rent here in Toronto. Some of the rental units are not fit for humans or animals yet they ask for the highest amount of money. I am looking for a small place for myself and receiving disability makes it even harder to find a decent place. I honestly pity these people. They can't afford the high cost of renting 😢

[@paulburton8264]

They can move somewhere else where rents are much more reasonable

[@melissalove7828]

London is the same

[@AlexandreVidal]

Where dude??? hahahah the whole country is unaffordable.@@paulburton8264

[@johnmacisaac2962]

As a person that has experienced being homeless and seen every homeless encampment from Toronto to Vancouver Island, I can't help but be amazed at how clean and tidy they keep it in toronto. East hastings in Vancouver is like walking through a distopian society of drugs and trash. Coodos to all the volunteers in Toronto and coodos to the homeless for being responsible.

[@AK.__]

I live in Midtown all my life and do not watch news, neither read newspapers (when the news were there). Downtown for me it's Yonge street, Front street and Lakeshore. Thank you for detailed video and bringing people's attention.

[@davidsolo9398]

I'm literally a one minute walk through my back door to get to this park. I've lived where I am for almost 20 years and have enjoyed this park until recently. I stopped going through it because of several threats made to me as I passed through over the last couple of years or so! I see it as yet another issue all levels of government have basically ignored and understand the plight of (most) of the tenants that have ended up there. Let's hope Olivia Chow, Toronto's recently-elected mayor will actually do something to address this and other areas of concern to give better options to these disenfranchised people and to the ones waiting in the wings...

[@Blakpepa]

Chow has made it clear that she wants tent cities to thrive

[@tdpay9015]

Chow's soft socialist approach will make the problem worse, and the city will end up electing a hardliner who will use police to clear out the homeless and put them on buses to other communities. This is always the pattern. (btw I know that park well, I used to attend church on the NE corner, and the Conservatory is/was great)

[@rapier1954]

Because Olivia Chow has a money tree in her backyard because if she doesn't .nothing is going to change except your taxes will go up.

[@billboggs6641]

8 million to rename Dundas Street so everyone will feel better. Food and housing not important

[@davidsolo9398]

@@billboggs6641 ain't that the ridiculous truth!

[@robertvisquo308]

Thanks for letting us know about this Johnny.

[@torisearcy2016]

That is so sad! Prayers for everyone. Good job bringing attention to this.

[@user-pg7hk5kf1j]

Talking to an imaginary friend is not going to help with this.

[@shoshi06]

Thx for covering this Johnny..much appreciated.

[@azamyahmad]

Absolutely loved watching your walk away tour and the filming edition captured absolutely spectacular gorgeous, Sharp and clear, keep it up Sir and stay safe, have a wonderful blessing weekend .. Merci beaucoup Monsieur

[@cgurl]

I walk by it everyday on my way to work in cabbagetown. I’m from Vancouver and it reminds me of the DTES.

[@thecanadakid7622]

this is the cleanest most wholesome homeless encampment I''ve ever seen, it's not even depressing looks like camping. It actually looks enjoyable, I've never seen a homeless are where there wasn't litter scattered everywhere on top of it. Not sure how they get throgh winter

[@yuhyuh5674]

Libraries, mcdonalds, etc are usual places homeless people seek refuge in from the harsh winters.

[@LiftedDigitalMedia]

Everyone looks extremely chill here, and just tying to get by. If you want to see a real problem, come to Vancouver, and walk the DTES. Night and day from what’s being shown here, and looks like the park in Toronto is kept very clean overall.

[@sepandttcexplorer]

Thanks for sharing this video Johnny!

[@cndedgar]

Could not believe my eyes. I used to live in Toronto at the end of the 80ś beginning of the 90ś. Afterward went to Toronto several times but I never have seen this. Are we falling so low? I understand that housing is impossible to afford, but it seems there is no help at all. I have to note that I am seeing this kind of situation in several countries, not only in Canada.

[@KP-wt8qr]

It's in every single western country, Canada is not unique.

[@frankihatch]

Its happening everywhere

[@iainsanders4775]

@@KP-wt8qr Nope, only in North America on any scale remotely like this. But carry on kidding yourselves it's not Your fault. Feel - Good! Or at least slightly less bad..

[@KP-wt8qr]

@@iainsanders4775 There's tent cities in France, Germany too, plenty other European countries lmao, google images search is your friend mate.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@KP-wt8qr Austria doesn't have this problem.

[@user-hn4jh6nv2e]

Thank you for calling attention to Allan Gardens. It is disturbing and sad to see the state of Toronto’s downtown core as you say, because of decades of underfunding for mental health and social services. I have stopped walking through Allan Gardens because I certainly do not feel safe entering it anymore. Too often, I have seen drug needles and garbage strewn around the encampments and sometimes people spaced out on drugs who I fear are loose canons. Your recent walk did not encounter it, so perhaps the city staff are doing more to clean things up. However, the cost that the city is incurring to support these encampments exceeds the cost that housing with wrap-around services would be and so it is an unnecessary drain on taxpayers and just does not make any sense. Public parks are supposed to be for everyone. It should not be acceptable to live in a park and receive social services if there is no intention to accept social housing when it becomes available. Consider the impact of these one hundred people refusing to accept housing, on the entire neighbourhood. Sadly, predators follow the homeless. So, crime has increased in this wonderful neighbourhood, which is having a ripple affect on the survival of local businesses and quality of life. Sadly, Allan Gardens has become “The Garden of Shame” and is certainly an activist’s dream if activists want to make a statement about poorly performing urban land and housing markets, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of housing finance. There is a better solution for the City of Toronto to pursue, than simply allowing the growth of informal settlements and expansion of slums in parks and roadways downtown Toronto. Council has declared homelessness as an “emergency” in Toronto without even having an emergency plan in place to rectify it. This can and should be Mayor Chow’s number one priority.

[@dinkster1729]

They weren't offered housing. They were offered a shelter bed. You come in at a certain time and you live at a certain time your bed area. You don't have a home. Which would you prefer? a shelter bed or a tent. I'd go for the tent personally. If you went to a Canadian camp ground in the 1950s, you would have found a similar scene. I'm not minimalizing the plight of these unfortunate people. but my family of origin (4 kids a husband and wife) camped and traveled across N. America in the summer time. The places where we pitched our tent were very similar to this park. The communal washrooms were a bit better than a "Johnny on the spot", I guess. There might even be a swimming pool or a lake with a beach where we camped. I even remember my parents renting my brother and me a rowboat to keep us busy one evening. It must have been a very cheap rental because my parents were notorious penny pinchers. The trips were fun and we saw the continent. Paul Bunyans and Babe his Blue Ox in Minnesota. Lots of Burma Shave signs. The endless Prairies. The endless forests. One of our last trips to New Brunswick from Kingston we saw the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton for free--my mother was always a culture vulture--and the swimming pool there was free as well. We were at the Calgary Stampede twice and my siblings made an overnight trip to Banff--I was too sick to go so I stayed at my Grandparents. As my mother once said to me later in life, "We traveled." We sure did--Algonquin Park, Bancroft Gemboree, Kingston before we moved here, various other camp grounds like Presqu'ile and Bon Echo and lots of campgrounds in northern Ontario. I don't remember anybody else in our working class neighbourhood going anywhere. It looks to me like most of the people in Alan Gardens during the daytime are probably out working or in cooling centres. The videographer is even distressed at a little dog doing his business at a distance from his owner's tent. What kind of life does this guy lead? The City should probably direct these people to showers and better washrooms and places where they can get water. There are lots of different ways to enjoy a city. My husband and a friend of his camped just outside of Montreal when they went to Expo '67. They pitched their tent after one visit and took it down and, then, came back to the same spot the next night after another day at Expo. Canadians have gotten too affluent, it seems.

[@joezeagman7140]

@@dinkster1729 I guess the parks aren't made for families and children. Let them shoot up in front of the kids ... reasonable approach

[@omarromo5293]

​@dinkster1729 not to mention the rampant drug addiction problem. That's the elephant in the room.

[@Polski_Kabaret]

Olivia Chow took over John Tory’s Toronto.

[@jessicas1433]

sometimes its safer to live in a park then in a housing complex

[@andyramroop4233]

Wow!!! I can't believe what has happened to this park I used to be homeless and stayed at the Seaton House back in 2015 it was never like this

[@Man_Cave]

I visited a GF from 2001-2003 who was living in Toronto. I was always amazed at the apathy the people had towards their homeless. You couldn't walk down Queen street 3 blocks without somebody begging for change or a smoke. The rents were outrageous for outright dumps that didn't even have their own bathroom or kitchen.

[@stephen9609]

Have you never been to any other major city in the world? That's how it is... what do you expect the average person to do?

[@Man_Cave]

@@stephen9609 I have and in some cities it's even worse. I genuinely didn't feel like my life was in jeopardy while walking through Toronto, but you do in NYC. Kensington Ave. in Philadelphia, PA is a nightmare.

[@Neville60001]

@@stephen9609, the average person can do a lot; for one, they can _stop_ reading and listening bto neocon drivel that makes them act against their own best interests; for two, they can stop voting for the politicians (Rob Ford, Doug Ford, Mike Harris, Stephan Harper, etc.) who espouse (and then carry out) the same sentiments expressed in the abovementioned neocon drivel.

[@shauncameron8390]

@@Neville60001 Canada was better off under Stephen Harper. And Mike Harris was elected in response to Bob Rae tanking Ontario, never mind how his rent control policies created a housing shortage. Doug Ford got elected because Ontario got sick of Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty turning Ontario into a have-not province.

[@MichaelStanleigh]

Thank you Johnny. This is an amazing video

[@hankblank5982]

Very Informative. Never thought I would see that in Toronto.

[@Cpt-Pugwash14]

I was homeless for a small time, I then finally got my Status Card and life went in a completely different direction, now I live a very comfortable life with the seemingly endless benefits the government gives me.. i encourage more to do the same.

[@harvardsmithdeangelo6905]

What an uplifting story, I guess everyone should just change their blood

[@Kim-dl7lv]

🙄

[@duanedavidson7219]

Utubemoderator, why the race baiting trolling? 🤮 and Harvard smith why you take the bait?

[@Xenomorph-hb4zf]

Most people aren't eligible for status cards

[@dmorenod29]

Thank you for bringing us this video, I’m so surprised that park was taken by the homeless, a while ago it was around liberty 🗽 village where there is a green space

[@easygoing531]

Johnny you are doing a awesome job as Always

[@davej1374]

Hey looks like Vancouver it's been like that here for years ..

[@elevatorface]

I think the doggo had an owner. Dogs get dirty very fast so the fact its fur looked rather clean for an outdoor dog and not matted etc means someone is taking care of it, maybe within that camp... Graduated recently, and I've been job searching in Toronto the last few months within my field to no avail. Started looking for retail jobs etc and even that's really difficult to find. So even though I have a bit of savings to last a few months, because rent and living expenses are so high, it won't be long until I can't manage. Since I'm not from around here, it's very likely that myself and those like me will in the coming months to years continue to simply end up homeless. I fear for us all.

[@paulburton8264]

BS, they use the dogs as they panhandle for money because it attacks sympathy. Anyone who has worked downtown knows this. It is a total con

[@GeneralGuitFiddle]

It's important for people to see this stuff. Allan Gardens is kind of symbolic as a place for this to pop up, because it is truly beautiful and part of the community re: volunteering. A city that can pull off Allan Gardens and make it what it is can surely find a humane solution to homelessness... paying private cops to clear parks out addresses nothing

[@JT-il4lo]

It's everywhere now. Every city is dealing with this. Much larger societal problems.

[@seetoronto-walkanddrone6653]

Thank you for the walk✌

[@brianbrino4310]

I used to live at 140 Carlton St in front of Allen Gardens and to see now so many homeless living in tents is unbelievable! A wealthy country like Canada should never allow this to happen! Dignity for all Canadians!

[@stevecomb180]

Am I the only one that finds it amazing that you can walk by 50 to 75 homeless tents and people only to come up on the dog and seriously consider getting it help… Don’t get me wrong I’m a dog lover, but to walk by that many homeless people and then get worried about a dog in need sort of says a lot about that city

[@HildebrandtDinklemeyer]

My thoughts exactly. I find it disturbing, in a way. I've seen a lot more people rush to the aid of a dog rather than actual people countless times, it's disheartening.

[@Jackman8594]

He thought dog was injured, animals can't speak. What are you doing to help all the homeless. I'm down thier 4 nights a week helping

[@stevecomb180]

@@Jackman8594 oh good for you, you want a cookie? I absolutely help people, i just don’t go around bragging about it and filming people in there vulnerable state.

[@thecanadakid7622]

they are doing fine they have tents for homes, they are not helpless.

[@gracedagostino5231]

Originally from Toronto but lived several years in Los Angeles. Here they can stay in their tents all year round, where I doubt in Toronto you could do that.

[@charlesmarker2407]

Some did last winter. Brrr

[@erikt454]

Oh, people do...

[@missrockets777]

Thanks for your videos !

[@ashleytea3]

Breaks my heart to see so many people without homes. They deserve better than this.

[@wishteria234]

ask Trudeau

[@LostinNost]

@@wishteria234 bro.. Ford has disabled people living on 1300 a month. If they didn't rent years ago they are on the street. Blame the guy who is responsible at the very least..

[@blueberrypomegranate]

People who live there make the choice to be homeless. There are programs set up for them to start fresh and start making money and getting into real places to live and they refuse to work. It's choices they've made. If you hear interviews from some of them they tell you these things but some will just complain and put the blame else where

[@LostinNost]

@@blueberrypomegranate you speak like you've never had to access any of those programs. Neither OW or ODSP will cover rent. You have a minimum waitlist of 1 year for mental health assessment, then more for treatment. Good luck renting a place with less than rent. The province made this choice by doing nothing for 20 years on these "programs" ..

[@chinadollfmd]

@@wishteria234 Federal government is not involved in municipal issues.

[@Akpar11]

Every city in the world has homeless people. Those who say otherwise don't know reality. But its how the homeless situation is managed that really matters. I hope the government does something about this asap, cause considering the cost of living I wont be surprised if this increases 5 fold in a few years.

[@miroperinich2495]

Well, it's not like that. there are no homeless people in my country. Things are changing and western dominance is becoming a thing of the past. The whole world has a problem because nothing is set right.

[@rpratt3746]

thanks johnny strides

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

It breaks my heart to see that park like that. I remember they used to film. Hand maidens tale there. At least a remodel in Allen gardens, I always make it a point to go there every single week when I’m in Toronto. Especially in the winter time, it’s a little oasis.

[@christinadagostino8167]

I visit Toronto once a year& I’ve noticed the widespread homeless problem getting worst. Very sad. Why aren’t ppl outraged? Housing costs need to be #1 issue

[@2Snakes]

Oh yeah if only housing was -200K that would solve these problems......yeah right

[@MsKleinlaut]

Why do the poor want to live in one of the world's most expensive cities? I can't afford to live in Toronto, I moved.

[@viiuan]

@@MsKleinlaut have you considered they might not be able to afford even moving away? if you're in a tent like this, you have little to no choice. public transit between cities is nonexistent, even housing in cities like kitchener are majorly expensive right now. the entire country is in a cost of living crisis... 20 years ago my parents bought their house for 180k. now houses in this neighborhood are 500k and rising.

[@nogreatreset8506]

@@viiuan much of the world has a cost of living crisis.

[@viiuan]

@@nogreatreset8506 i know that, but if you look into it, Canada currently has the worst housing crisis in the entire world. just look up a comparison graph between other countries' rising housing costs. it's awful and one reason i'm glad i don't have to move away from my parents right now.

[@nish.416]

I use to work front line... so this is coming from experience. The shelters are overloaded. 99% of shelters have a first come first serve policy when it comes to available beds. I am sure those 50 beds were gone before the rumor of them being available came out. Affordable housing use to exist... it just doesn't anymore. A single person needs 1000-1200 for a bachelor unit plus say 300 min to feed yourself. You need 1300-1500 to just be sheltered and fed. People will say... there is welfare. Welfare has not risen since the early 90's sitting about 650 for a single person. There is no math that can make just surviving work. Hopefully our new Mayor is able to figure out a way to work with the homelessness issue in a humane way.

[@robertsabharwal9787]

The more shelters you open, the more homeless people you'll have ...

[@nish.416]

@@robertsabharwal9787 At no point did i say shelters were the solution. Affordable housing is a small part of the the solution along with rent control. Its a matter of treating people like human being not cattle or animals.

[@robertsabharwal9787]

@@nish.416 people get treated the way they treat others ..

[@Neville60001]

@@robertsabharwal9787, how can you say that about vulnerable people suffering from mental health issues and who ended up homless because of a downward spiral caused by unemployment?

[@MsKleinlaut]

@@robertsabharwal9787 They will come from BC because the money is better in Toronto.

[@lucylin1999]

Thank you. I have not been to Toronto in years. It is a great city. I am sorry to see this. Hopefully the situation will be addressed before it gets bigger,

[@MH-YouTube-Controlled]

It's amazing, your level of obliviousness is remarkable.

[@GTAbry]

I work across the street and it's incredible how quickly the encampment has grown. In the spring there were just a few tents and I had to do a double take when I first saw them. Now it seems like every week the number of tents grows. It is a depressing state of affairs. I feel for these people, but I also wonder what it'll look like come winter and another 50,000 immigrants in the city.

[@harvardsmithdeangelo6905]

Don't worry the new arrivals will be housed and cared for

[@ekot0419]

Are these druggies or homeless? They can be one or the other, or both. I honestly feel indifferent about druggies. Negative if anything. They instigate people in the subway. Even in financial districts. In USA. It is the opiates that insurance covered. How about the addicts in Canada? If getting screwed by the insurance Companies. I understand. But being addicts from doing it for pleasure? Look. I want to smoke weed 24/7. But I can't afford it. And so I work on what I can afford. Why would I have to pay for their mistakes? Their fuckups? I get picked on by these people a few times a week. I hate these people

[@herbtarlic892]

I echo all the others here who thank you for bringing this sad state of affairs to the attention of the broader population of Canada. It's a global problem exacerbated by a society that chooses to monetize everything, including the very homes we live in. Having volunteered in the mentorship program across the street, at SOY (Supporting Our Youth), I came to know several of these youth who have found themselves homeless, when parents threw their own children out of the house when they discovered they were gay. Many chose to take up with the various groups here in the park, where they were made to feel welcomed. Speaks volumes about what we, as a society, feel is important.

[@penelope8356]

Thanks I did enjoy seeing my old neighborhood. I used to walk through Allan Gardens on my way to the Eaton Centre often. Sometimes scary. 2014 then.

[@internetcensure5849]

"Toronto's shelter system has space for almost 9,000 people. While this may seem substantial, there are an estimated 18,000 Torontonians who are homeless, and over 170 people are turned away nightly from the shelter system." Toronto Star

[@totoroutes5389]

Do you think the city will be clearing out the encampments before September and reserve motels again?

[@nos7799]

É simplesmente muito triste ver o que está acontecendo com Toronto..... morei por um tempo em 2015 e fiquei vislumbrado com essa cidade. Hoje não moraria nem se me pagassem.

[@toni-ann5151]

🧐 Are we not going to talk about how CLEAN the streets and park were as you walked towards the encampment!? C'mon now, I've been researching all the major cities and their current encampment/addiction crisis throughout Canada and US on YT for a week and this is BY FAR the MOST CLEAN with CIVIL ORDERLY city camp I've seen! City effort plus resident effort is evident. Proud to be a Torontiation!🤗

[@Lucy-xz6yj]

Wow..... loved this. I'm super impressed how well those folks have maintained the cleanliness of their choices. I witnessed a community of ppl doing exactly what you said.... they are surviving along with supporting one another. My City of Saskatoon needs to wake up.... there is no community or place for the unfortunate to find a park of sorts when shelters are full. The stigma here is terrible....In this documentary the park seems void of addiction although I know activity must occur However it appears in this encampment a sense of personal accountability exists. Thanks so much for the tour. 😊

[@apscoradiales]

Many years ago I used to work on Duncan Street. One morning coming to work, I saw a man sleeping on a sidewalk with a wheel chair next to him. He told me he was discharged from a hospital in Toronto (dunno which) after a double amputation. They gave him a used wheelchair and told him to leave. Also, on the corner of Kings and University I used see this middle age woman for many years sleeping on a manhole. She had one or two blankets to cover herself when it was very cold. Saw her one time tying a handkerchief with a little of food inside it that she was able to find or get. It was a devastating thing to see. I can still see the poor woman very clearly 30 years later. Makes we weep when I think of that woman.... There is no Goddamn way anyone should have to live like that in Canada...no Goddamn way!!!

[@rapier1954]

But unfortunately they do. Getting shelter in Toronto is expensive and increasingly beyond many people's means. Even some people with jobs can't afford it.

[@MrHemi4spd]

Was that the "shaky lady" who eventually was exposed as a fraud??

[@apscoradiales]

No, it was not.@@MrHemi4spd

[@MZ-mu6om]

Thats the cleanest encampment ive seen. Sad to see but its happening to south of us, I see a pattern worldwide , this is setting up to become FAR WORSE !!

[@paulboor8669]

Excellent job thanks

[@EpicNationHD4Life]

good walk i usto go to allan Gardens all the time when i was a kid back in 2015/16 and mabye even before that, it changed alot, haven't been there since hope you have a good day/night mr Strides! ~Liam

[@educ9283]

A lot of tenants in this park, in L. A. you must see Skid Row.... There is the hell of homeless...

[@deborahs.9389]

The trees in Toronto are magnificent!🌳

[@sv8700]

What type of Camera are you using? Great Job!

[@Russkere1]

I was wondering what settings do you use on your DJI pocket 2 when you do your walks?

[@Gizmo1251]

Unfortunately it’s a problem in every major city, life is getting too expensive and salaries are not in line with inflation anymore. Hopefully someday this problem will disappear for everyone.

[@Jestersage]

I am not sure which is worse regarding homeless issue- Vancouver and Toronto. This is one of the few where we should hope we both win to resolve.

[@erikt454]

Take a look at any of the many DTES videos out there, and that should quickly make up your mind. I thought Victoria had a massive camp, too.

[@jennifermarlow.]

It's more than tripled in Halifax. We have had people living in tents year-round since 2020. This is in all cities, and people need to stop blaming the poor.

[@Jestersage]

@@jennifermarlow. When you say Halifax, is it the "proper" Halifax (like our City of Vancouver), or including surrondigng region (like our Greater Vancouver)

[@user-pg7hk5kf1j]

It's not a contest. One homeless person is one too many homeless person.

[@Jestersage]

@@erikt454 I don't need to look at them. I walk it - and that's the problem. You get desensitized.

[@CoolV3gan]

I moved from Toronto in October 2020 and I used to work in one of the buildings beside Allan gardens park.. cannot believe how it has changed. It is similar to the situation in downtown Calgary… spreading everywhere at this point. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@miroperinich2495]

You know, I lived in communism and we kept talking about the rotten west. That it is so is now increasingly visible.

[@jamieposeidonmccarthy]

All i can do is pray for betterness for everyone. I can never speak about a situation that i can not even begin to relate to. I'm holding no gavel.

[@user-pg7hk5kf1j]

Talking to an imaginary friend is not going to help here.

[@boomgraham]

I ride by this park everyday to get home to the Beaches from the Annex...I despair but have no issues with those who choose to live there... It must be said that riding my bike gives me no real understanding of the issues

[@ChristineCanada]

I used to go to Allan Gardens every year before the pandemic, loved it there. I feel sad to see it like this. How do these people live when winter comes? Can our government do something?

[@Genious.]

It seems like they can but choose to pay lip service when the pressure mounts. Hollow promises are really easy to make.

[@MsKleinlaut]

Why should it be up to the government to do something? Educations is free. School books are free. It's up to the individual to get an education, a job, and pay for their lodging.

[@Genious.]

@@MsKleinlaut Maybe because we already pay them - and government CLAIMS that it's something they want to do something about. But yeah, I guess it's just as simple as getting an education and then getting a job. It's not like there are any impediments or other issues. It's all that simple.

[@mikeyb7786]

Our gocernment cares more to launder money into ukraine

[@dpayne1943]

And the replies (both sides) to your question are the same when it is asked here in the US. I always hope someone can think of a workable solution (I most certainly have not figured it out) rather than just the bickering that goes back and forth.

[@ranjanprakash2521]

Wow! What a change! The last time I was on this road was probably in 2015. Thanks Johnny.

[@ericdeangelis7496]

As a native living in Toronto I love that the Sacred Fire area is nice and tidy and organized compared to the rest of the park.

[@dianearmstrong8753]

Thanks great video

[@RedRobbie07]

Johnny, a few blocks away by Moss Park, there is 10x more encampments. I hope you walk by there next time and really show the amount of homeless in Toronto. It's a very disturbing situation. Thank You

[@ms.carlson3904]

what part of moss park? You mean beside queen street?

[@arcticmonkeysfan]

No there isn’t. Moss park is all fenced off due to Ontario Line construction

[@charlesmarker2407]

Interesting Toronto Star article a couple of weeks ago about the area between Allan Gardens and Moss Park. It pointed out how many older rental buildings and rooming houses have been torn down to build new condos.

[@rontyler1234]

When the authorities renege on their responsibility to the poor and the downtrodden, then it should come as no surprise that they make the parks and greenspaces their homes.

[@charlesmarker2407]

The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor. (Voltaire)

[@ellee2868]

t's heart breaking i used to jog here. This is only one portion of the tent cities they are everywhere in toronto now. I would love interviews because they're voices should be heard.

[@Chrisbackgroovey]

If I could, I would buy a building and help the homeless people be self sustainable, working in the building, giving them dignity and something to be proud of and working. I realize their are mental health issues, drug and alcohol addictions; however, many people have been homeless because of everything going on in the government and taking away homes/hotel rooms from these people. In my past, I have worked in the outreach realm and my heart goes out to them.

[@randomname9758]

You would need a lot of buildings.

[@Chrisbackgroovey]

@@randomname9758 Their are homeless people, 80% being men in Toronto, but out of that 80% some belong in that population because of circumstances that put them in that situation, some people don’t want the help and don’t want to abide in rules; however, others are wanting to have that chance to get back on their feet again. This works only when a well designed and implemented system is in place and enforce codes of conduct and methods with educated personal in different realms of the healthcare system can work as a team to have any chance of accomplishing this. I have done papers on case studies for parallels similar to the problem we have in Toronto, but it’s a long dedication process with forecasts for multiple phases for example, a 2 year plan.

[@Chrisbackgroovey]

@@W0lf0f0dinn It’s not a matter of that, some of these people don’t want help because it would mean some type of therapy to recover from their addictions. The percent that want help will make efforts to recover. Alcohol recovery, believe or not, is the most difficult and dangerous which does need professional guidance and proper observations.

[@goldenretriever6261]

They'd destroy the building.

[@Chrisbackgroovey]

@@goldenretriever6261 With something like this, the employment of professional staff would be part of the implementation. The stigma such as you aforementioned is a problem and the idea of any kind of hope is destroyed….. HOPE IS DESTROYED. If you read my comment of how these places are run, you’d get the slight understanding; however, this is typical thinking of people who have no experience in assisting people with these issues. Homeless doesn’t point the finger at one area. I have listened to people with their many stories on how they became homeless and some even have Masters degrees. You’d think they’d be well off, it’s a circumstance for them to where they need help getting out of the mud and establishing stability. Look up Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it may help you get a better understanding to why some people are having trouble in todays battles .

[@zimpetrichor4919]

I used to be an investment banker at Royal Bank of Canada capital markets in downtown Toronto, I’m so happy I left Canada over a decade ago. Toronto is a terrible city indeed. It’s only built for the rich and for the constant supply of immigrants to Canada to support and uphold the standards of living for the rich only.

[@bmoshareholderappleshareho855]

What about New York and Los Angeles?

[@rachelroe33]

Wow, that is surreal. I haven't been there in about 10 years, but when I lived in Toronto I used to love visiting this dog park and running through the park with my dog. So sad this is reality now. Hoping these folks get support and something changes eventually.

[@sheripacori2097]

In Calgary we have tents popping up everywhere. The problem just keeps building as time goes on. The north and south east are more affected of course.

[@61raindrops]

What if some of them are born disabled? As we know odsp doesn’t pay enough to rent, not even rooming. The city should help the disabled first before winter comes.

[@jennifermarlow.]

My disabled friend was going to be homeless because of this very reason. I've had a roomie for just over a year now. No WAY was he going to live in a tent, not while I have breath in me. Halifax

[@j_m_3590]

The reality is the more resources the city provides the more people from other cities and countries will come. The only way to solve this is to make shelters Toronto resident-only. Harsh but true.

[@user-uf3ht4hq9h]

Keep making these videos. It's good to get independent information sources reporting on Toronto's social ills & issues. I've been living in Toronto almost my entire life ( in my 60's) & have never seen the misery & continual growth of the homeless as bad as it has become now. The Disparity between haves & have nots continue to grow. This economic & legal system is certainly stacked in favor of those that have large financial assets.

[@ianstuart5660]

Not a single doubt about it. Very unlevel playing field!

[@Ace-hx4qw]

It's called savage capitalism. It started in the US in 1980

[@ianstuart5660]

@Ace-hx4qw So very true. Savage is a great term to use. Time for the tables to be turned. How much does any individual really need?

[@luisasterioquerubin6829]

I congratulate your video and the concern that goes with it. Incidentally, I am a Graduate student of TMU.