Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps has issued a public apology for a controversial plan to construct a tent city for the homeless, and promises nothing will happen in Topaz Park before residents get their say.
Facing a throng of reporters at City Hall on Tuesday, Helps admitted details about the proposed campsite weren’t communicated as effectively as they could’ve been.
“In our desperateness to move forward, to find a solution, we haven’t been as engaging as we can,” Help said. “To be clear, no decision has been made about Topaz Park.”
Residents living near the park quickly opposed the encampment after learning it was a likely candidate for a tent city and held a protest at Topaz Park over the weekend.
Helps said the City was trying to get a plan in place this summer to provide shelter to the city’s approximately 130 people sleeping in Victoria parks every night.
“We moved too quickly and we didn’t stop and ask people first, and for that, as your mayor, I am truly sorry,” she said.
A report given to city council identified the park as the most favourable to host the tent city, which it said would help reduce the number of people sleeping in Victoria parks.
Helps emphasized the park is not off the table entirely, but said the city will hold public workshops at a yet-to-be-determined time to talk solutions.
“It feels okay to apologize for a misstep,” she said. “I’m not apologizing for trying to find a solution. Every mayor in this country is looking for a solution.”
Helps and city councillors will still hold a scheduled walkabout with residents Thursday to discuss the proposed location.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Scott Cunningham
