The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce says businesses are suffering because a tent city has been allowed to remain on the lawn of the Victoria courthouse in the city's downtown core.
According to the Chamber, more homeless people are travelling to Victoria, and the numbers of panhandlers and people sleeping in public places have soared.
Chamber CEO Bruce Carter says members have been pressuring for action, ranging from a greater police presence to more enforcement in the area.
A recent court ruling found the city has not suffered irreparable harm and the homeless camp can remain at its current location, at least until a full hearing on an injunction application, slated for early in the fall.
