Residents leave Saanich tent city, park now closed

More than 100 residentsof a tent city at a park in Saanich, B.C., have left the encampment, six days after they were ordered to move out.

A judge granted a temporary injunction to evict the campers from Regina Park, a grassy space alongside Highway 1, on Sept. 7.

They were ordered to leave Camp Namegans by Tuesday. Police saidthe last campers left peacefully on Thursday.

Advocates saymany campers moved into isolated areas in the woods, while others will likely end up on the streets downtown.

Ashley Mollisonof the Alliance Against Displacement said there are others who don't know where else to go.

Park closed

The district cited safety concerns, including fire hazards, in the petition to the court to shut down the camp.

The park has been fenced off and the soil will be tested and cleaned up before the space can be opened again.

The district said it'sworking with B.C. Housing to provide accommodation as a short-term solution until more permanent housing can be built.

With files from On The Island

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