Prince George City Council does not endorse a centralized approach to managing the homeless encampments in Prince George.
City council was given a recommendation to endorse the approach at tonight’s (Monday) meeting.
Director of Public Adam Davey described a centralized approach as one that “uses bylaw education to inform people on what the city’s bylaws entail, and enforcement to permit overnight sheltering in a limited number of specific locations under prescribed restrictions.”
According to Davey, there is currently an “unregulated centralized approach occurring” in Prince George.
“This begun last summer with sites emerging at Millennium Park, Second and George Street, and Lower Patricia,” Davey said.
“Staff removed the encampments at Millennium Park, however many occupants moved down the street to Second and George, and then on to Lower Patricia.”
“Solving what may be referred to as a wicked problem of substance abuse, mental health issues, and the resulting homelessness at the local government level is like trying to eat soup with the knife, and the province has the spoon,” Davey said.
Following Davey’s presentation, Councillor Frank Everitt moved ‘that council not endorse the proposed centralized encampment management approach.’
“My concern is that if we endorse Lower Patricia as the ‘chosen area for centralized camping, we’re taking on a degree of liability and responsibility to manage that site, when really, at this point, it’s the province’s responsibility,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson.
“They’ve said ‘you have to leave that open.’ Ok, then step up and provide services, step up and provide safety measures, step up and provide what is needed to make sure that camp is safe for people, and is not impacting the community.”
After a lengthy discussion, the motion was carried 7-1, with Councillor Susan Scott opposed. (Councillor Terri McConnachie was absent.)
As a result of the motion carrying, three other recommendations were made invalid, including one that would have council select and approve one or more overnight sheltering locations in the city.
“I do not believe that expanding the places for congregate in a legal framework assists us in solving the problem,” said Everitt.
“The issue is bigger than just simply having places for people to go, it’s about what is needed for our community to come together and to assist people who are homeless, who are in need of addiction help, and saying to them ‘you can go to a park between 7:00 and 7:00’ does not help.”
An amendment was also made to the Safe Streets Bylaw during the meeting.
“The amendment allows the city and the RCMP to seize chattel, that is debris and property that is not claimed for on the sidewalk,” Davey explained.
“This allows us to seize it and we will hold it for 30 days and there is a process that will be developed and communicated out on how folks can reclaim their possession if they don’t take them on the day.”
The amendment was passed 6-2 with Councillors Everitt and Cori Ramsay opposed.
Councillor Sampson also made a motion to have council request representatives from BC Housing, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and the Attorney General’s Office come to the city, and meet with council and inform council, city staff, and the public on what they are doing to address the issues Prince George is facing with homelessness.
The motion was defeated, with Councillors Everitt, Murray Krause, Brian Skakun, and Mayor Lyn Hall opposed.
Other items discussed at tonight’s meeting included a Rezoning Application for a development in the Hart, the City Brand Project, and the naming rights for the PG Coliseum.