Gate remains closed as homeless campers dig in at Goldstream Provincial Park
34 homeless campers have occupied the park for a week
Goldstream Provincial Park remains closed with no end in sight, a week after 34 homeless campers set up their tents.
Many in the group were evicted from homeless encampments in Saanich recently before moving to the park.
Pressure is mounting on the province to open the gates after it stated the campers were a risk to public safety.
"Aside from the obvious stigma of saying just because these individuals are homeless, we need to shut down the entire park, absolutely, it raises an issue in terms of what their human rights are," said Doug King, a lawyer and the executive director of the Together Against Poverty Society.
He said many of the people at the site have been hopping from camp to camp because there are no other options for shelter.
"When our provincial government shuts down the shelter spaces in the summer months, it's telling the people that are homeless they expect them to sleep outside."
Chrissy Brett, a spokesperson for the campers, said the decision to close was a surprise because the group believed it was abiding by campground rules and had just completed the paperwork required for passes granting disabled people a free stay for up to two weeks at the park.
Safety in numbers
"From our perspective, for the campers, it's very clear that if they have to sleep outside it's better for them to do it in groups and that's something that we shouldn't lose sight of," King told On The Island's Gregor Craigie.
He said they can look after each other's belongings and watch for overdoses, if they're living in a group.
Neighbours have suggested the province open the group campsites — located on the other side of the highway — to the homeless campers so the park can be reopened, but King is concerned about the shortsighted nature of this plan.
"While it makes sense in the short term … we're much more focused on what the province is actually going to do to find these people housing," he said.
Selina Robinson, B.C.'s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said in a statement that there is a plan in place to provide shelter and housing for all homeless campers.
"Between now and Monday, BC Housing and outreach staff will continue to work with campers to match them with the right housing for their individual needs," it reads in part.
"Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and assist campers in a respectful transition before the morning of Oct. 2, 2018, which is the expiry of the 14-day maximum stay at provincial parks."
With files from On The Island
To hear the full interview listen to media below: