WATCH: Dozens remain in Duncan homeless camp despite a B.C. Supreme Court eviction order. Isabelle Raghem reports.
Dozens remain in a homeless camp in Duncan, despite a B.C. Supreme Court imposed order to dismantle the gathering.
Campers were told to clear out of the Charles Hoey Park by 3 p.m. on Thursday.
A Duncan Commissionaire accompanied with a RCMP officer delivered the notice at 2 p.m., but campers remained.
“We got the court order and I’m not really sure what the plan is at this point” said one camper.
But at 3 p.m., RCMP didn’t show up and tents stayed up.
The camp was first set up on March 31 as a temporary protest against the lack of affordable housing in the area.
The City says there is more than enough room at a local shelter to accommodate all those now living in the park once they?ve left.
“I kind of expected them to maybe wait until there was less people to witness what they plan on doing,” said camper Chrissie Brett. “I’m not surprised they haven’t stepped forward and gone through with the actions that they’ve threatened with.”
“The attitude in downtown Duncan seems to be just get people to move on and they’ll go someplace else,” explained a supporter. “There are people who are sleeping in the woods who are targets for predators. There are people who are not able to support themselves. I thought if they were all together in one place at least we could see them.”
Protestors say they intend to stay until the city maps out more permanent housing solutions for the homeless.
Isabelle Raghem
