The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is backing Penticton city council and their dispute with housing minister David Eby who has exercised provincial powers to keep the Victory Church homeless shelter open.

In response to city councilB次元官网网址檚 April 13 request for support from the UBCM on the shelter dispute, president Brian Frenkel has written a letter to Eby, urging the province to commit to working in collaboration with local governments.

The letter, sent to Eby on May 19, acknowledges concerns expressed by Mayor John Vassilaki regarding EbyB次元官网网址檚 use of provincial paramountcy to overrule councilB次元官网网址檚 decision to not extend the temporary permit at the Victory Church shelter.

B次元官网网址淲e are concerned that the application of statutory immunity sets a dangerous precedent and undermines local government autonomy as established in legislation,B次元官网网址� the letter from Frenkel reads.

The Community Charter confirms that municipalities and their councils are an order of government within their jurisdiction that is B次元官网网址渄emocratically elected, autonomous, responsible and accountableB次元官网网址� and must operate under strict statutory conditions associated with public consultation and public interest.

The Local Government Act grants local governments the powers and flexibility required to respond to the needs of their communities within that mandate, said Frenkel.

The letter concludes by inviting Eby to join UBCM in exploring a dispute resolution mechanism that could be used as an alternative to the application of statutory immunity.

Mayor John Vassilaki was pleased that Frenkel sent the letter.

B次元官网网址淚 appreciate Mr. Frenkel sending his message of collaboration to Minister Eby,B次元官网网址� said Vassilaki.

B次元官网网址淐ouncil is elected locally, they are accountable locally and the sites for housing shelters like 352 Winnipeg Street should be decided locally. As the province has overridden local housing decisions elsewhere in B.C., Penticton city council is standing up to defend local autonomy and the ability for our residents and businesses to have a say in whatB次元官网网址檚 best for their community.B次元官网网址�

On May 12, Vassilaki wrote a letter to Premier John Horgan urging him to B次元官网网址榠mmediately interveneB次元官网网址� with EbyB次元官网网址檚 decision to use provincial paramountcy powers to override councilB次元官网网址檚 decision. The letter ran in Penticton newspapers and in the Victoria Times Colonist.

Within hours of the letter running in the Victoria paper, Eby jabbed back, laying out a rebuttal sent out to media through his communications staff.

The operator of the shelter, Penticton and District Society of Community Living, told the Western B次元官网网址 that it will continue operating, following provincial direction.

According to the CityB次元官网网址檚 communication manager Philip Cooper, Horgan has not yet provided a formal written response to council.

The cityB次元官网网址檚 next step if Horgan doesnB次元官网网址檛 reply is to sue the provincial government.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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