People camping in the growing tent city along the Trans-Canada Highway in Saanich have been asked to vacate the land.
On Friday, the District of Saanich issued the 50 campers at Regina Park a notice to vacate, which states that their occupation of the park is unlawful and constitutes trespassing.
The notice cites the B.C Supreme Court decision that people who are homeless are allowed to erect a temporary overnight shelter in a Saanich park between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., but the tents and any personal possessions must be removed in the morning.
“Your immediate compliance with this notice to vacate is expected,” said the notice, signed by the district’s chief administrative officer, Paul Thorkelsson.
It’s unclear whether bylaw officers or Saanich police will forcibly remove people or wait for them to move voluntarily.
“We cannot comment at this time on what further and additional steps may be taken in relation to the encampment at Regina Park, as it remains an evolving legal matter,” the District of Saanich said in a statement.
The Saanich Fire Department issued an order that said the encampment poses several fire hazards and safety concerns. It said no open flames, flammable liquids, compressed gases or portable generators are permitted inside tents or structures. Residents cannot cook or smoke inside their tents, said the order signed by Deputy Fire Chief Dan Wood.
Tent city residents say they use camp stoves to cook their meals or rely on ready-made food from the Mustard Seed Street Church. The tall, dry grass at the encampment is scattered with pallets, shopping carts, bikes and suitcases filled with personal belongings. The site has one portable toilet.
Saanich councillors and Saanich police have been fielding regular complaints from nearby residents who say the tent city makes them feel unsafe.
One resident said the tents are just metres away from his back fence and he’s uncomfortable letting his children play in the backyard.
Mayor Richard Atwell said Wednesday that he did not want to “boot out” campers, since the housing crisis in the region means they will just be displaced elsewhere.
Atwell met with Victoria-Swan Lake MLA Rob Fleming on Thursday to talk about provincial funding options. Fleming had encouraged Saanich to consider modular housing, which can be set up relatively quickly.
Many of the residents of the former tent city outside the Victoria courthouse have been housed at the supportive housing building at 844 Johnson St., run by the Portland Hotel Society. But many are still on the streets. One man living in Regina Park said he also lived at the Victoria tent city.
He said his criminal record for violence and drug offences makes it difficult for him to get housing and his “bad attitude” has seen him barred from Rock Bay Landing and Queen’s Manor, two properties run by the Victoria Cool Aid Society.
Housing action response teams, made up of B.C. Housing officials and police, have been visiting the tent city trying to connect people with housing.
Saanich police have increased patrols in the park and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The district encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the Saanich police non-emergency line at 250-475-4321.
