Homelessness

Photo submitted

Councils want B.C. to create more tools to address public safety concerns

Province urged to help cities combat public disorder with a Community Safety Act

 

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services say they responded to a call of a tent and possibly a person on fire at around 9 a.m. Monday. A police car with flashing lights is shown in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Rourke

Man dies in Christmas Day tent fire in downtown Vancouver

Environment Canada data shows temperatures on Christmas Eve reached a low of -1.1 C

 

On Nov. 3, outreach workers, bylaws, and RCMP officers were supervising the teardown of a homeless encampment, also known as street sweep, in the parking lot beside Connect Centre in downtown Courtenay. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

OPINION: B.C. street sweeps perpetuate an endless cycle of misery

Dispossessing the homeless of their belongings does nothing to address the address

 

Deaths among homeless in B.C. rose in 2022 by 28 per cent compared to the previous year. The spike looks even more significant when looking at the last two years. Whereas BC Coroners Service counted at least 275 total death for 2019 and 2020, the two-year-total for 2021 and 2022 was 609, an increase of 138 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

Toxic drugs blamed as B.C. homeless deaths more than double

At least 609 homeless people died in 2021 and 2022, up 138 per cent from previous two-year-total

Deaths among homeless in B.C. rose in 2022 by 28 per cent compared to the previous year. The spike looks even more significant when looking at the last two years. Whereas BC Coroners Service counted at least 275 total death for 2019 and 2020, the two-year-total for 2021 and 2022 was 609, an increase of 138 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
Paul Zwingé is one of many Langley seniors facing a move – and potentially higher rents – soon because of redevelopment. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

B.C. seniors facing housing crunch, risk homelessness

Langley’s Paul Zwingé is one of many seniors facing an enforced move soon

Paul Zwingé is one of many Langley seniors facing a move – and potentially higher rents – soon because of redevelopment. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Several advocates for the homeless took to the streets at Duncan’s Christmas Kick Off on Nov. 24 to inform the public that the region has yet to establish an extreme weather emergency shelter or warming centres this winter. Among those spreading awareness are Sarah McKenna, Linda Williams and Sandy King. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Protesters advocate for emergency weather shelter in Duncan

Still no site available as temperatures plummet

Several advocates for the homeless took to the streets at Duncan’s Christmas Kick Off on Nov. 24 to inform the public that the region has yet to establish an extreme weather emergency shelter or warming centres this winter. Among those spreading awareness are Sarah McKenna, Linda Williams and Sandy King. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Part of the encampment at Nunns Creek Park that clean up crews had not reached yet. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Operation cleans up homeless camp in Campbell River’s Nunns Creek Park

Individuals are permitted to remain sheltering on site, provided they follow certain criteria

Part of the encampment at Nunns Creek Park that clean up crews had not reached yet. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Homeless man speaks out on encampment issues in Courtenay

“People don’t have anything to put their faith into. It’s all talk talk talk, and nothing’s done.”

Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
Being a neighbour of Campbell River’s Overdose Prevention Site is proving a challenge for downtownl businesses. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

13-year-old overdoses in downtown Campbell River restaurant

Young staff confronted by traumatic incident; mayor assures council sees what’s going on

Being a neighbour of Campbell River’s Overdose Prevention Site is proving a challenge for downtownl businesses. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Art Gallery, city council relations improve after ‘bad neighbour’ clash

Dialogue opens up after city removes cultural facilities permissive tax exemption

The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Campbell River’s Overdose Prevention Site. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Island DQ fed up with ‘countless thefts, threats of violence, drug abuse’

Campbell River Dairy Queen calls for public nuisance designation for overdose prevention site

Campbell River’s Overdose Prevention Site. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River backs away from pulling art gallery tax support

Gallery’s taxes will be ‘covered’ in return for development of a positive relationship

  • Oct 13, 2023
The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Minister slams council ‘attack’ on art gallery, overdose prevention site

‘Not the way to go about it’ – Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon

The Campell River Art Gallery. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The camp on Government Road in Nelson on Sept. 29. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Roadside B.C. homeless camp endures rocks, fireworks, from passing cars

Winter shelter options limited, public harassment common for people without homes in Nelson

The camp on Government Road in Nelson on Sept. 29. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A fence blocks an area where people who are homeless frequently camp. According to a report from WorkSafe BC, several violent incidents have taken place in the attached City Hall parking lot since 2021. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Leaked document says homeless people attacked city staff in Courtenay

WorkSafe BC reports several “violent incidents” in parking lot part of ongoing issues

A fence blocks an area where people who are homeless frequently camp. According to a report from WorkSafe BC, several violent incidents have taken place in the attached City Hall parking lot since 2021. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
B.C. conservation officers say four unhoused people were bitten by a coyote in downtown Prince George Sept. 26. They say aggressive coyote behaviour is likely the result of people feeding them. (Photo courtesy of B.C. Conservation Officer Service)

Coyote attacks 4 unhoused people in downtown Prince George overnight

Injuries non-life-threatening, but 3 people in hospital

B.C. conservation officers say four unhoused people were bitten by a coyote in downtown Prince George Sept. 26. They say aggressive coyote behaviour is likely the result of people feeding them. (Photo courtesy of B.C. Conservation Officer Service)
Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane listens during a news conference after a meeting of Western Premiers in Whistler, B.C. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Cochrane was a social worker before entering politics, so when the territory’s capital ordered everyone to leave last week due to encroaching wildfires, she said she checked to make sure homeless people weren’t forgotten. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Premier recounts hunt for homeless during Yellowknife evacuation

Caroline Cochrane was a social worker before politics

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane listens during a news conference after a meeting of Western Premiers in Whistler, B.C. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Cochrane was a social worker before entering politics, so when the territory’s capital ordered everyone to leave last week due to encroaching wildfires, she said she checked to make sure homeless people weren’t forgotten. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An outreach team for the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver has been working in the city’s Downtown Eastside to ensure people are aware and are prepared to cope with the latest heat spike across parts of B.C. A tarp is seen draped between a building and a shopping cart to provide shade from the sun in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, May 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Homeless, impoverished at risk during B.C. heat wave, advocates warn

Daytime temperatures expected to reach up to 37 C in Vancouver

An outreach team for the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver has been working in the city’s Downtown Eastside to ensure people are aware and are prepared to cope with the latest heat spike across parts of B.C. A tarp is seen draped between a building and a shopping cart to provide shade from the sun in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, May 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Community safety officers Adam Collishaw and Shannon Moore tackle clearing a campsite that was part of an extensive homeless encampment in near Comox Road on Wednesday, Aug. 9. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Homeless encampment cleared out behind curling club in Nanaimo

Environmental concerns, fire hazard and crime among reasons for clean-up, city says

Community safety officers Adam Collishaw and Shannon Moore tackle clearing a campsite that was part of an extensive homeless encampment in near Comox Road on Wednesday, Aug. 9. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
City of Campbell River. Mirror file photo

‘Campbell River takes another shot at controlling public drug consumption

New bylaw prohibits consumption of controlled substances in specific city-owned public spaces

City of Campbell River. Mirror file photo