Premier sets deadline for homeless campers

Premier John Horgan has set a two-week deadline for homeless campers to be out of Goldstream Provincial Park.

“We’re going to work as diligently as we can to find solutions within the two-week period that people are entitled to be in provincial campsites,” Horgan told reporters Wednesday while speaking at a news conference to announce a 2.5 per cent cap on 2019 rent increases.

“I expect that by the end of that two-week period, we will have housing or appropriate options for the people that are currently in the tent city and the citizens of my community will be able to access the park again very soon.”

Horgan represents the constituency of Langford-Juan de Fuca, which includes Goldstream.

Langford Mayor Stew Young was pleased with the deadline.

“The neighbourhood will be very happy,” Young said.

“We’ll continue to support the government on their initiatives. We just need to have more response and services to the people who are addicted,” he said, adding, “It sounds like they’ve been able to find housing for them, which is good.”

Young said he hadn’t spoken directly with Horgan.

The homeless camp set up in Goldstream Sept. 18 after Saanich police, armed with a B.C. Supreme Court injunction, evicted 115 campers from Regina Park.

The provincial campground was subsequently closed to visitors.

The encampment has enraged some neighbours of the park. Young said he has seen a jump in crime, from petty thefts of change in cars to a break-in at the fire hall. The mayor said he plans to bill the province for the costs of policing and bylaw enforcement associated with the encampment.

Saanich has said dealing with homeless campers this year could cost as much as $1 million.

“I really feel bad for the taxpayers for Saanich being saddled with a $1-million cost,” said Young. “If it gets to $1 million here, that’s about a six per cent tax increase. I don’t have a contingency fund for that.”

A meeting Sunday of concerned residents resulted in two neighbourhood stewards being appointed to conduct thriceweekly walk-throughs of the park.

On Wednesday, those stewards were accompanied by the RCMP, B.C. Parks rangers, B.C. Housing staff and a constituency assistant to Horgan.

Leonard Chevrier and Craig Marlow reported seeing about 26 campers. While there was “nervousness on both sides” at first, that subsided, they wrote.

“Craig and myself are very happy to report that Goldstream park looks great,” wrote Chevrier, saying the campsites were clean with no evidence of abuse. “I am also happy to report the park rangers are there 24 hours a day constantly driving and walking the campground. If they see anything out of place or campground abuse, the RCMP go in and take care of the problem.”

Chevrier said reports of needles being discarded and drugs being used in the park’s bathroom were true, but those responsible were kicked out of the park.

“There are still drug users there, but they are being watched by both the park rangers and the homeless campers,” he wrote.

“We got the impression that the homeless campers knew about our concerns and were doing some self-policing.

Young said he wants to see 24hour services from the province at the Goldstream camp, to find treatment for campers who are addicted, and to crack down on any criminals.

The province continues to say that municipalities must be onside by supplying land for the 2,000 modular homes it is providing to help address homelessness.

Young insisted that’s not the answer for Langford. When the province provides the services that people at the encampment need, affordable housing will be waiting in Langford, he said.

Since 2008, Langford has contributed $9 million for affordable housing initiatives, said Young.