The Ontario Court of Appeal issued a decision on October 9, 2026, stating that the legality of the City of Hamilton’s bylaw prohibiting homeless encampments, as well as the way it has been enforced, must be re‑examined by a newly appointed trial judge.
The city’s ordinance, which bars the establishment of encampments for people experiencing homelessness, has been the subject of legal scrutiny over whether it complies with constitutional protections. The appellate court’s ruling means the challenge will move forward for a fresh trial assessment.