Update: Encampment response - 20th Street and Avenue K

Update: Encampment response - 20th Street and Avenue K For immediate release: September 24, 2026 - 2:00 pm FI26-12405 Updated to include 9:15 a.m. statement. 2:00 p.m. - Updated Statement The clean-up and fencing activity for the encampment at 20th Street and Avenue K has been paused. The level of aggressive protest from community advocacy groups has made any work at the site unsafe. Fire and partner agency workers report most of the protest activity does not involve homeless occupants. Crews had been prepared to clean up two vacant lots on 19th Street and Avenue K however, protesters encircled contractor vehicles, going so far as to climb on top of the fencing stacked on one of them. Saskatoon Fire Department, police officers and other partner agency staff were confronted by aggressive protesters directing profane, derogatory and vulgar comments at them. As a sign of good faith, the Saskatoon Fire Department was opting to forgo a clean-up of 301 Avenue K South as that address is the subject of a court application that will be heard next week. We know this is frustrating for many in our community, notably the St. Mary’s school families and staff who have been asking for officials t