Members of Namegans Nation, the roving tent city facing eviction from Goldstream Provincial Park Thursday morning have been told they can stay, according to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
Confusion around campers being given a 24-hour notice to vacate was B次元官网网址渦nfortunately stated by a BC Parks staffer,B次元官网网址� said David Karn, media relations for the ministry.
B次元官网网址淭he province has no deadline in place for the homeless campers out at Goldstream,B次元官网网址� Karn added.
While the campground will remain open to the public for day use, it will be closed to overnight guests, Karn said. That decision was made following concerns expressed by local RCMP to ensure public safety. People with reservations will get a refund.
B次元官网网址淭he park act allows for a closure,B次元官网网址� Karn said, though the ministry is not currently aware of any disturbances in the campground over the past 24 hours.
Outreach teams are there working with them on supports including shelter and housing, Karn added.
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VIDEO: residents allowed to stay at Goldstream Campgrounds for two weeks despite concerns from Langford mayor Stew Young.
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
According to Const. Matt Baker of the West Shore RCMP, there have already been reports of criminal activity and drug use in the area over the past two days.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got reports of recovered stolen vehicles, there have been reports of drug use at the park,B次元官网网址� Baker said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 also been recovery of an individual that had a warrant as well.B次元官网网址�
Const. Matt Baker said there have been reports of criminal activity and drug use in the area in the last two days.
B次元官网网址� Lindsey Horsting (@lindseyhorsting)
According to Langford Mayor Stew Young, his office has received more than 100 emails and phone calls from concerned residents.
B次元官网网址淚n 24 hours, weB次元官网网址檝e had more police incidents in that area than weB次元官网网址檝e had all year,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淭his is a problem and the public has a reason to be concerned B次元官网网址� Drugs and open drug use is not going to be allowed, I donB次元官网网址檛 care where you are, that is the law and the RCMP will do their job. WeB次元官网网址檙e not doing anything different than we normally would.B次元官网网址�
Local resident worried about crime with Camp Namegans coming to Goldstream Campgrounds.
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
Young said Langford has spent at least $15,000 a day to manage the camping at Goldstream Park since Camp Namegans Nation moved in Sept. 18.
READ MORE: Langford mayor upset with province over homeless camp
Those affiliated with Camp Namegans held a protest rally at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, ahead of the directive to evict all campers from the park at 11 a.m.
Young asked the public not to go to the campground.
B次元官网网址淪tay away from there, let the police do their job,B次元官网网址� Young said, adding the city does not have the resources to manage the situation. B次元官网网址淎s the mayor, IB次元官网网址檓 telling the public do not go to Goldstream Park.B次元官网网址�
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He called for the provincial government to create a rapid response team on the ground and co-ordinate the ministries of housing and health.
The resources, Young said, should take the strain off the municipalities.
In a post on the groupB次元官网网址檚 Facebook page, Camp Namegans said, B次元官网网址渢he BC NDPB次元官网网址檚 continued use of police force to break the spirit of Namegans Nation sends a clear message: Indigenous and working class people who politicize their survival and protest the gross negligence of all levels of government in addressing the deepening crisis of homelessness will be banished to physical and social invisibility.B次元官网网址�
Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing provided a statement to Black Press that noted Goldstream Park was not an appropriate place to establish a tent city, and urged those staying at Goldstream to work with staff to identify better housing solutions.
She stated that provincial resources were being deployed to work with campers in the coming days to assess and provide supports for longer-term solutions, and referenced the at the .
The District of Saanich also announced theyB次元官网网址檙e offering land near the Municipal Hall for those experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.
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