Under order from fire commissioner, Victoria’s tent city downsizes

Up to 20 people will be evacuated from Victoria’s tent city and placed at the Choices Transitional shelter today, as the controversial site abides by an order by B.C.’s Fire Commissioner.

Seventeen had already moved this morning, with everyone willingly evacuating being given priority for a new social housing complex slated to open later this month.

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Sean Cole, who works with HL Demolition and Waste Management, says they found a number of rat nests earlier today while removing wooden structures deemed a fire risk.

“There’s a few of these larger wooden structures, where it appears they’d been nesting underneath the pallets. They spread like wildfire, so we’ll be keeping our heads up,” he said.

Christine Brett, a supporter of the camp, says the provincial government is not prioritizing the well-being of the homeless population at the site.

“We’re dismantling this so tent city can stay, and we can meet the requirements of the fire commissioner, no matter how emotionally unsafe, and physically unsafe this makes people feel,” she said.

“The province has yet to come to people about how to create a safe place for them, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.”

The long-term fate of the tent city may be decided next week, as B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson says he needs time to review submissions after hearing the provincial government’s second application to shut down the camp, where an estimated 100 people have been living in tents since the fall.

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Stephen Hammond, spokesperson for Mad as Hell Victoria, is hopeful for a quick resolution.

“We want this dismantled. This is not a good thing. The crime in the area, all the extra expenses the government has had to occur…it looks like the province and tent city lawyers were working towards an August 8 deadline, but we really don’t know what will happen until the judge rules,” he said.

“We would want it sooner, but it’s out of our hands.”