Torontonians are reacting after the city cleared encampments outside of the Rogers Centre ahead of Taylor Swift’s shows.
This week, the city said there were five individuals living in Roundhouse Park, near the stadium. Due to the influx of people coming in for the pop star’s sold out tour, the city says it decided to move the unhoused individuals into shelter spaces for safety protocols.
Swift performed her first show in the city on Thursday and has five more schedule for Nov. 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23.
Swift is expected to bring up to 500,000 people to the city’s downtown core and is predicted to bring in nearly $300 million to the local economy.
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“As the area around Rogers Centre is expected to receive a high volume of foot traffic in the coming days, this area has been prioritized for outreach work to ensure the safety of individuals in encampments, other residents, businesses and visitors — as is standard for large-scale events,” City Spokesperson Russell Baker said to Now Toronto on Friday.
“Five individuals living near the Rogers Centre in Roundhouse Park have been provided with referrals into existing shelter programs with full services and supports, which they are able to use for as long as required,” he continued.
According to the Toronto Star, one of the people who was moved, a man named Crystofur, says they were relocated to a city-run shelter-hotel near Highway 401 and Islington Avenue, after living at a tent in Roundhouse Park for almost two weeks.
On Nov. 4, they said police came up to them and threatened to break down their tent to prepare for Swift’s concerts.
Online, some Torontonians are angry at the fact that it took a mega celebrity for the city to finally clear encampments.
“So we can clear out the tent cities for pop stars, but not for normal tax-paying residents?” one X user said.
“Why does their safety only matter when Taylor Swift is around? Does she hate homeless people?” another user questioned.
“Oh so they CAN help homeless people, it’s only if SHE’S involved,” another user said.
“Anyone surprised? The Princess can’t, must not be allowed to be bothered by the sight of these nuisances – as the city see them. It’s all about image,” another user commented.
The city did not provide a response to the negative reactions, however it says it remains committed to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness by moving them into indoor accommodations.
The removal of the encampments comes after the city unveiled the largest shelter-to-housing project ever completed in Toronto this week. Located on Dundas St. E., the renovated hotel has 92 affordable units completed and 188 more units are expected to be built by spring 2025.
