Jun 25: What looming government decision means for people living outside

On June 25 'victoria' city council will be deciding whether to go back to enforcement of their parks bylaw that, as current written, bans daytime sheltering (forcing people to pack up their tents at 7 AM every day, and not set back up again till 8 PM -- 7 PM in winter). The stress and …

Action: Write City Council – keep letting people shelter in parks 24/7

In mid-March when the COVID public health emergency was declared, the city finally stopped enforcing one of the most harmful provisions of its Parks Regulations Bylaw: the ban on daytime sheltering in parks. This was a big relief. People have been able to keep their tents up 24/7 in areas where sheltering is permitted, rest …

City Council’s fail = More homeless people facing eviction

The day after the province's May 20 eviction deadline for homeless people people still living at Topaz Park / Pandora Avenue, 'victoria' city council passed a weak motion brought by three councillors who have in the past been progressive. Councillor Sharmarke Dubow specifically raised concerns about homeless people's safety and human rights, but the rest …

City of Victoria’s Parks Bylaw is Violent and Cruel

On Thursday May 14, City staff posted at MEEGAN (aka ‘beaconhill park’) a document titled “Important Notice COVID-19 Response - Parks”. At the top of the document, the City says: “The Parks Regulations Bylaw governing sheltering in City Parks remains in effect. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to allow …