We believe this latest tactic of the B.C.

Government is just another reason for them not to take

their responsibility towards those who are in most need in this city.

What we believe is, this Government need to work harder to help get these people into housing
where they belong, shutting down the camp will not solve the issue period, the only thing it will
do is disperse the residents of tent city into different neighborhood which is not a solution either.

This is a well known fact there is a serious lack of housing not only in Victoria but across the
Province for people in need, affordable housing is a very serious issue not only in this Province
but across Canada as well, this has been a crisis since the late mid 90s and was created by
Government policies.
Sure there maybe some criminals (folks selling drugs for example) or people who maybe causing
disturbance to people in the neighborhood but this is not an issue you dont see anywhere else,
some apartment buildings for example have those same issues. Judging everyone in the camp for
a few who may not be desirable or following the laws and punishing them all for a few is not
going to solve the issue either.
Some things have been done to address some of the issues neighbors were concerned about such
as working washrooms were installed and the city has freed money for police officers to deal with
issues in and around the camp on the other hand the B.C. Government has just found another
excuse not to deal with this properly, instead of trying their best to help these people get into
housing they choose to go to court again to get an injunction to shut down the camp they tried the
same tactic before and they have lost their case.

Provincial government applies for early

injunction to shut down Victoria tent city
This article is by Liam Britten and was published by the CBC June 03, 2016

The B.C. government has applied for an injunction to forcibly end the tent city on the Victoria
courthouse lawn.
In a statement, the province says it is seeking the injunction because the site is not in compliance with
two fire safety orders issued in February and May.
"Based on the fire safety report, as well as concerns about site deterioration and public safety, the
Province has spent the past week compiling further evidence and affidavits supporting the need to end
the encampment," the statement from the Ministry of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for
Housing read.
"The Province is submitting 69 affidavits that speak to the increase in criminality and the deterioration
of conditions at the site."
Hearing dates to see whether the injunction will be granted have been set for June 27 and 28, the
province said.

Officials say situation deteriorating

The tent city, home to about 100 mostly-homeless campers, sprang up in the fall, and neighbours, the
province, VicPD and fire officials have reported increasing concerns as the camp dragged on.
Campers defied a Feb. 25 deadline to leave, and the province sought an injunction to evict them in
April. That application was unsuccessful.
Neighbours demanded 24/7 security at the site, and the City of Victoria allotted VicPD $113,000 extra
to police the site. Inspector Scott McGregor says criminal activity was rising, "and we think that's
directly connected to a criminal element that has moved onto that site. Persons that are trafficking
drugs."
In May, an officer suffered "non-life threatening injuries" making an arrest at the camp.
Also in May, provincial fire inspector Bob Cooper conducted an inspection of the site that found it not
to be in compliance with earlier orders.
"Overall the danger to life created by the fire hazards is increasing and is considered to be only a matter
of time before a serious fire incident occurs," his report noted.

Some improvements being made on day of application

On the same day the province applied for this latest injunction, city workers were seen installing
electrical connections for flush toilets and hot showers.
However, a camper who goes by the name of Doug says official efforts on health and safety
improvements have been too slow.

"If they were really, truly concerned, they would've had this in a month, month-and-a-half ago," he
said. "I don't believe they're trying anything other than going behind our backs," he said. They've tried
every angle they can here."
"We're willing to comply. I've told them numerous times I'm willing to comply with them, do what we
can to resolve it, yet they don't reply, don't hear from them. They just pull another injunction."
The province had a formal hearing date for an injunction to evict the campers set for Sept. 7, but moved
up its application because of the growing concern.