Today the provincial government is applying for an injunction to end the camp on the Victoria courthouse lawn.

The application follows the B.C. Fire Commissioner’s determination last week that the courthouse site is not in compliance with two fire safety orders – issued in February and May – and, as a result, “the danger to life safety created by the fire hazards is increasing and is considered to be only a matter of time before a serious fire incident occurs.”

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 Province is submitting 69 affidavits that speak to the increase in criminality and the deterioration of conditions at the site.

The Province has asked for its injunction application to be heard at the earliest available date. Chief Justice Hinkson has assigned himself to hear the application and has set hearing dates for June 27 and 28.

In April, the B.C. Supreme Court rejected an earlier application for a temporary injunction at the site.

Quick Facts:

• Since October 2015, the B.C. government has invested more than $5 million to add more than 190 new units of transitional housing and shelter for people at the homeless camp. Twenty-two people have also transitioned into permanent housing.
• The new units are in addition to the 147 year-round homeless shelter spaces in Victoria, as well as the 125 shelter spaces that are available during extreme weather.
• Last year, the Province invested over $19.7 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 5,100 Victoria households.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 102,500 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

For more information about services and supports for the homeless in Victoria, please visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca/docs/fs_Homeless%20Supports_Victoria.pdf