A couple whoB次元官网网址檝e been living in Cuthbert Holmes Park since Christmas feel discriminated against by SaanichB次元官网网址檚 new bylaw amendment that targets the removals of chattels from public parks.
Anna and Kevin lived previously at the Tent City on the courthouse lawn and were housed at 844 Johnson but that never worked out.
Instead, living at Cuthbert, as hard as it is, has been the transition theyB次元官网网址檝e needed, they said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e lucky, we have a place now, a private home and we are slowly moving there and getting rid of our stuff,B次元官网网址� Kevin said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not the kind of person to leave a big mess, neither is [Anna], whereas some people [tenting in parks] say [forget] this, and they leave all their stuff.B次元官网网址�
The couple said they have already moved from their original site at Cuthbert which they left free of trash or any personal belongings.
B次元官网网址淲e clean up our sites and when we leave there wonB次元官网网址檛 be a mess,B次元官网网址� Kevin said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e told we damage the ecosystem, but they [the provinceB次元官网网址檚 McKenzie Interchange project] just plowed over half the park.B次元官网网址�
For Anna and Kevin, SaanichB次元官网网址檚 ruling to enforce the removal of chattels strikes at their basic rights.
B次元官网网址淚t happened in shelter housing,B次元官网网址� Kevin said. B次元官网网址淚 had charges against me which were dropped, but I got kicked out of the shelter and then my stuff gets thrown away, and then you are back on the street with nothing.B次元官网网址�
On top of the backlash from locals who want tenters out of Cuthbert Holmes Park, Anna and Kevin have dealt with the elements.
B次元官网网址淒uring the winter the silt fence welled up with water and breached, flooding the water, in retrospect we didnB次元官网网址檛 realize we could have died of hypothermia,B次元官网网址� Anna said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 people who donB次元官网网址檛 like us in the park, itB次元官网网址檚 not a specific group, but they call the police, I want to say itB次元官网网址檚 not fair and a big waste of the policeB次元官网网址檚 time, what am I going to do, where am I going from here, am I not allowed to exist?B次元官网网址�
Saanich Parks and Police have coordinated for hauling companies to come in and remove what is sometimes their stuff from the park. Meanwhile, the couple point to actual garbage that was there when they arrive.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 garbage by the highway that the construction crew work around everyday, thereB次元官网网址檚 an ugly old green washing machine in the middle of the park thatB次元官网网址檚 been there for [probably decades],B次元官网网址� Kevin said. B次元官网网址淲e reported a cougar three times, no one came, it was just about to lunge at me one night, it was next to me when I shined my flash light on it and it ran.B次元官网网址�
Aside from Kevin and Anna there are a few other people living long term in the park as well as the odd short term tenter.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 rather be in housing, just not the supportive housing [downtown],B次元官网网址� Anna said.
The couple explain that they have several issues with the supportive housing system, the crowding of the hallways with shopping carts, bicycles and trailers, the lack of safety and more.
When they look at recently reported occupancy levels of the speculation tax they see pure greed, and wonder why they are a target. ItB次元官网网址檚 too much to tell someone in a brief passing, or in a single news story, Anna says.
B次元官网网址淗ow are you supposed to get that across to someone, how can you explain these things while they walk by, or in a few seconds on a TV camera,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know how brokerages, property management companies and dealerships parking their cars became more important than peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives, it bothers me that no-one really cares how people are doing once theyB次元官网网址檙e out of the view [of downtown].B次元官网网址�
Being homeless and addicted, as many people are in Victoria, is not their choice, Anna said.
B次元官网网址淭he whole thing is a nightmare.B次元官网网址�
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