‘There’s going to be more deaths’: Halifax tent community reeling after man dies

The community living at the tent encampment at Halifax's Grand Parade is reeling after a recent death, and advocates say the situation will only worsen.

The community living at the tent encampment at Halifax’s Grand Parade is reeling after a recent death, and advocates say the situation will only worsen if people don’t receive the help they need.

Halifax Regional Police confirm that officers responded to the encampment in downtown Halifax just after 2 p.m. last Friday to a man in medical distress.

The man was taken to hospital where he later died. Police say the incident is not believed to be suspicious, and volunteers at the site say there are unconfirmed reports it was an overdose.

“The types of activities that take place at this encampment…there’s a lot of drugs, a lot of alcohol,” said volunteer Stephen Wilsack.

“People are getting very discouraged and they seem to be relying on substances in order to cope.”

Wilsack said the man had been living in a tent at the Victoria Park site. Those who knew him say he was a father and was determined to get his life back on track.

“It’s scary and sad,” said friend, Richard Young.

“It’s a huge blow. The guy was a gentle giant. One of the nicest guy you’ve ever met. He’d give you anything he had. I mean he’d talk about his son the whole time, he’d talk about his family.”