Prince George’s two BC United MLAs have waded into the debate over the city’s decision to clear the homeless camp at Millennium Park.
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris are criticizing Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon’s criticism of the city’s actions.
“It is shocking to hear NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon blame the municipality when it is his responsibility to ensure that there is housing with appropriate levels of support for people in this province,” the two said in a joint statement issued Tuesday. “If the Minister had done his job correctly the city would not be in this position.”
According to the city, throughout August the situation at Millennium Park has deteriorated significantly, prompting it to decide to clear the encampment.
“Recent reports from the RCMP, Prince George Fire Rescue, and city frontline workers indicate serious safety concerns for both responders and occupants of the park as the result of increased density,” according to a statement issued by the city last week. “These conditions have severely impacted the ability of emergency responders to provide assistance to individuals sheltering on the site.”
That prompted Kahlon to respond, saying it is “especially disappointing given the positive work we have done with Mayor Simon Yu and the city on other supportive housing projects that are currently underway.”
Bond and Morris say the problem stems from governments “lack of action on housing,” which has left the city with no other options.
“It is also deeply hypocritical for the NDP to denounce this decampment, when they supported a similar course of action in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside this past spring,” they said. “The premier and his housing minister are fully aware of the risks and dangers faced by both the vulnerable individuals living in the camp and the surrounding community, yet they have failed to take urgent action. Their lack of action has enabled encampments like these to become hubs for drugs and criminal activity, all while providing no safe alternative for the vulnerable people who call them home.
“The housing minister can say homelessness in Prince George is ‘a critical priority’ for his government, but his actions tell a very different story.”
Occupants of Millennium Park have been notified that all personal property must be removed from the site by September 9, 2023. Any material remaining in Millennium Park after this date will be removed and permanently disposed of. The site will then be closed to the public while options for remediation are considered.
“David Eby and the NDP have consistently ignored the warning signs in Prince George and throughout the province,” Bond and Morris said. “It’s time for the premier to take accountability for the consequences of his own misguided policies.”