B.C.'s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says, despite the wishes of tent city campers, they will not be allowed to stay at their new location beside the highway near the Saanich Municipal Hall.
The group that was camping out on a private property on West Saanich road has moved to Ministry of Transportation property located adjacent to Highway 17 and directly behind the Saanich Fire Department.
In a statement, the ministry says "Highway land is not a safe location for camping, and campers will be asked to leave the highway right of way."
The ministry goes on to say "shelter was offered to all of the homeless campers, unfortunately, while some took up the offer, the majority turned down the offered shelter spaces.
Chrissy Brett, the leader of the roaming tent city, said over the weekend that she hoped they would be able to stay on the site since it was offered up for modular housing. That offer was rejected by the Province because the site was too steep. Brett says that those who live in the roaming tent city need some stability and a place to stay throughout the winter months. After arriving and setting up camp at the new site, Chrissy said that it was no wonder the Province rejected the site for modular housing. “It’s blackberries and trees, and then a steep incline.”
Saanich Police released this statement: "as the encampment is currently on land owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure the District of Saanich Parks and Management Control Bylaw does not apply. The District of Saanich Parks and Management Control Bylaw allows temporary overnight sheltering in 102 of Saanich’s parks from the hours of 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. In addition, a hygiene station, including washrooms and showers, and storage facility located at Saanich Municipal Hall remain open for use from 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m."
Meanwhile, Brett she was very grateful for Sam Seera's generosity and approach throughout the stay at his property. He owns the West Saanich Road location where the camp was before the moved over the weekend. Brett said that she “wanted to de-escalate the situation and hoped that moving to this site where modular housing was proposed was the best option.” She continued to say that after multiple discussions with Seera, he convinced her to take less confrontational approach.