The B.C. government says it’s looking at eliminating open burning at Victoria’s tent city among other recommendations aimed at making the camp safer for residents and neighbours.
A fire commissioner recently ordered campers at the Victoria courthouse to deal with a number of safety hazards including the use of candles and open flames, the amount of space between tents and ensuring escape routes in the event of an emergency.
“We will see as the next few days unfold whether there is cooperation there by the people who are on that site with regards to the recommendations we’re making to them,” said B.C. housing minister Rich Coleman. “Hopefully they will, because this is really about their safety.”
The housing ministry confirmed that a ban on open flames would not apply to the site's ceremonial "sacred fire," but said it would be monitored at all times.
The province says it is also bringing in the Portland Hotel Society, a Vancouver non-profit that serves residents of the city’s Downtown Eastside, to help manage Victoria’s tent city 24/7.
Coleman said having an experienced service provider on site to help manage camper safety and connect residents with government services should help quell concerns of those who live near the courthouse.
“It will allow us to get to a position where we can lower down some of the concerns of the local community,” he said. “At the same time we’ll continue to house people from the camp and eventually get to the position, I’d hope, where we don’t need the camp at all.”
The government is working with the City of Victoria, fire and police officials to develop the safety standards.
A B.C. provincial court judge ruled last week that campers may stay at the camp through the summer, denying a temporary injunction request made by the province to try to remove them from the provincially owned land.
Despite that, the province has asked the court for a permanent injunction to oust campers from the courthouse lawn.
That hearing has been set for Sept. 7.
