Orphaned Abbotsford siblings given eviction notice

A family of five Abbotsford orphans received an eviction notice just days after a Postmedia story about their fight to stay together went viral.

Jatinder Bakhshish, son of landlord Bob Bakhshish, spoke with Postmedia as the eviction notice was being served to the Saint-Ange children. “We have family coming in August (who want to use the house), so we are serving a twomonth eviction notice.”

“I definitely don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” said Bakhshish, “but we’re giving them two months; most people are given much less.”

Family advocate Jen Macpherson got a panicked phone call from the children and immediately left her work in Mission to try to sort things out.

“There is no reason for this,” said Macpherson. “So many people have stepped up to help them. They are able to pay the rent ... this doesn’t have to happen.”

Macpherson said she has already spoken with a tenancy arbitration expert and plans to dispute the eviction.

“These kids have planted a massive garden. They do not need to be evicted. To do this to them is cruel and unfair and unnecessary,” said Macpherson.

The children’s mother died of an asthma attack last fall, and their father, Wade Saint-Ange, died suddenly on May 8. The children had hoped to take over the lease and stay in the home. Bakhshish said his father’s decision had nothing to do with the fact that the children’s father died.

After the publication of a Postmedia story about their plight, readers rallied with $135,000 in donations.

The children, aged 15 to 22, were too upset to speak with Postmedia about the eviction.