SQUATTER SITS OUTSIDE EMPTY DEPARTMENT STORE IN VANCOUVER, 2002-09-25 (photo)

Over the last week the plight of the homeless in Canada has been brought to forefront after squatters at both ends of the country were evicted from buildings and land by authorities. On Sept. 21 dozens of squatters were forcibly removed from a derelict department store on the west coast in Vancouver's rundown eastside, many were arrested. The same squatters were removed again the following day after taking up residence on the outside of the building. On Sept. 24 authorities in Toronto removed dozens of squatters that had taken up residence on an empty lot on the city's waterfront. Photo shows Claude Maurice beside his bedding outside the old and empty Woodwards Department store in Vancouver September 25, 2002. The squatters and protestors have returned to the outside of the store for a third time and are demanding the building be turned in affordable social housing. REUTERS/Andy Clark REUTERS AC