Province sets date on when homeless campers must leave Goldstream Park

B.C.’s Premier John Horgan has set the deadline for tent city residents at Goldstream Park to vacate by October 2, the last day of the campers’ 14-day maximum stay at a provincial park.

“We’re going to work as diligently as we can to find solutions within the two-week period that people are entitled to be in provincial campsites,” said Horgan at a recent news conference.

“I expect by the end of that two-week period, we will have housing or appropriate options for the people that are currently in the tent city, and that the citizens of my community will be able to access the park again very soon.”

Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, echoed the Premier’s stance, saying that a plan was in place to house all of the homeless campers at Goldstream.

“People will begin to transition into housing and shelters on Oct. 1, 2018, and BC Parks will notify the public once the campground is ready to reopen,” said Robinson in a statement.

“In the immediate term, Pacifica Housing will also continue to deliver daily outreach and provide harm reduction supplies and other necessities to the campers.”

While a peaceful transition is certainly the goal, Robinson states that “in the event that people choose to remain past the Oct. 2 deadline, BC Parks will evict campers in accordance with parks policy, and in coordination with the RCMP, other ministries and outreach workers.”

Currently, the Goldstream Park campgrounds are closed to the public, but its group site and day-use area remain open to visitors.

The tent city moved to the Langford campgrounds on September 19. After just one night, the homeless campers were told they had to leave the park within a matter of days. Then, after a morning of confusion, Robinson announced that the tent city residents would be able to stay at the campgrounds for their scheduled two weeks.