Fire hazards removed from Discontent City in Nanaimo

Front loaders were used by the City of Nanaimo to clear fire hazards at Discontent City on Oct. 26, 2018.

Nanaimo’s public works department began demolishing part of Discontent City on Friday.

Garbage truck and loaders were used by City of Nanaimo workers to clear fire hazards out of the site. Last week, a BC Supre Court justice authorized the enforcement of two fire service orders at the city-owned property at 1 Port Drive.

And starting at 5 p.m.,  any occupant who is genuinely homeless and seeks transition to housing must identify themselves to the city, BC Housing or its agents with photo identification or if they don’t have ID, agree to be photographed and providing their full legal name. All occupants except qualifying occupants must vacate the property on Oct. 26. Anyone who remains will be escorted off the property by the city or RCMP.

The requirements are part of an Oct. 19 court decision that allows homeless campers to remain at the site until Nov. 30 under certain conditions. 

Outgoing Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay said control of the tent city will now be stepped up.

“Folks that are signed up for housing, they are going to be allowed to stay but significantly, they are going to have to provide picture identification or they are going to have to have their pictures taken and provide us with full names so we can control the comings and goings from the camp from this day forward,” McKay said.

The province has purchased property at 250 Terminal Avenue for 80 temporary modular units. The city is providing land at 2020 Labieux Road for another 90 units.

BC Housing expects to have the projects ready by the end of November.

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