Saanich tent city moves again, now back on provincial land

Saanich’s controversial tent city has moved once again.

The encampment, known as Camp Namegans or Namegans Nation, originally set up in Saanich’s Regina Park back in April.

Since then, it has moved several times — first to a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) property next to Highway 17, then to Goldstream Provincial Park and finally to a piece of private property in the 5000 block of West Saanich Road.

The owner of the West Saanich Road property said he hadn’t given the campers permission, but one of his tenants had invited them and he didn’t know how to remove them.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WATCH: Saanich homeless camp moved again

2:06 Saanich homeless camp moved again

Saanich police say the campers moved again to a new location, again on MoTI property, on Saturday. The new location is also adjacent to Highway 17 and directly behind the Saanich Fire Department.

Police said they had notified the ministry and will “provide them with support if/when requested,” according to a media release.

READ MORE: Homeless campers living in Goldstream Provincial Park must leave by October 2

Police also said that because the camp is on provincial land, Saanich’s Parks Management and Control Bylaw, which allows overnight camping in Saanich parks from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., does not apply.

The department said a hygiene station that includes washrooms, showers and storage space remains open at Saanich Municipal Hall.