Council defers tent city closure pending outcome of court application

STATEMENT - Distributed October 12, 2018 3:30 PM

Today, the Supreme Court of British Columbia received an application from Noah Ross, the lawyer representing some occupants of the tent city encampment on 1 Port Drive. The application for an extension to closing the encampment will be heard at 9:00 am on Friday, October 19, 2018. The City is respecting the court's need to consider the application and will defer the existing court order for closure until the outcome of the application is known.

Closure is still the goal however, given the application to the Supreme court filed today, Council has directed that the City defer closure. Public safety continues to be the City's number one priority. The City is committed to a phased approach to the camp closure that is compassionate, respectful and structured and addresses the concerns raised in the fire safety order.

The City will file its response to the court application on Tuesday morning after Council has had a chance to deliberate and consider its next steps. In addition the City is reaching out to the Provincial government for additional support given the rising costs associated with the encampment.

For continued updates, visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/encampment

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