People living in a homeless camp in Abbotsford are facing eviction this morning.
BC Hydro has raised safety concerns about the camp located along Gladys Avenue due to its proximity to a rail corridor and electrical equipment.
The deadline for people to leave the camp was 9 a.m. Thursday. There are 25 campers currently at the site. BC Hydro posted “no trespassing” signs on July 14.
Pastor Ward Draper of the 5 and 2 Ministries says some people may move willingly, but some may have to be removed by police.
“This is just further victimizing people who are trying to get stable,” says Draper. “We’ve gotten some of these people housed, and given more time, we could have housed more. The majority of these people will just go to find new campsites – which they will be kicked out from.”
Draper says he questions how serious the safety concerns expressed by BC Hydro really are.
“During the last 13 months alone of this site, there has been little to no discussion about Hydro’s responsibility for this location,” he says. “It’s only in the past few months Hydro has been dragged into these discussions and now they have these pressing security and safety issues — I find it quite questionable.”
Last year, the City of Abbotsford dumped chicken manure on the site in an attempt to remove the encampment. The city later apologized for the incident.
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