FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince George, B.C. – The City of Prince George has been successful in its application to close the encampment on Lower Patricia Boulevard (LPBE).
Following a three-day hearing before Justice Elwood of the BC Supreme Court, the Court authorized the immediate closure of the site to all but approximately 20 people who have been encamped at the LPBE since July 2. The City is aware that BC Housing is presently working to connect these individuals with housing, including at the purpose-built transitional housing site at 3rd & London. Once any of these individuals is offered housing, they will have seven days to vacate the site.
In his reasons for judgment, Justice Elwood noted that “Much has changed since the City failed to persuade the Chief Justice and Coval J. that there was sufficient available housing in 2021. The HEART & HEARTH initiative, the memorandum of understanding between the Province and the City and the construction of the Third Avenue Site all reflect tangible progress and concerted efforts by government to address the needs of the occupants of the Encampment.”
Individuals who suffer from exceptional mental illness or past trauma may apply to the courts for an exception to the order if they feel the housing offered to them is truly not accessible.
The City first sought an order to close the LPBE in 2021. The Court at that time found that, absent “suitable housing and daytime facilities”, unsheltered individuals were permitted to camp indefinitely in the “green space at the end of 5th Avenue”. A subsequent attempt to secure an order authorizing the closure of the site was rebuked by the Court, prompting the City to fundamentally re-evaluate its approach.
Since 2022, the City has worked diligently with the Province to bring more supportive, transitional, and low-barrier housing to Prince George. This has led to a surge in the number of housing units available for people who would otherwise be sheltering outdoors in the City, many of which were created with funding from the City and the Provincial Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) initiative.
Mayor Simon Yu
“I am appreciative of the hard work of staff and our lawyers on this complex issue. It has been a long road and there is much more work to be done to address homelessness in our community. As Mayor I remain committed to cooperating and working closely with the Province and our local social agencies to resolve homelessness in Prince George.”
Walter Babicz, City Manager
“This has been a complex and difficult situation for everyone involved. The Court’s decision provides the City with the ability to move forward in addressing significant safety, health, and operational challenges at the encampment site, which have had real impacts on the neighbouring residents, businesses and the entire community. We remain committed to working closely with BC Housing and our community partners as they work to facilitate connecting those affected with the transitional housing and the supports they need.”
Director of Administrative Services, Eric Depenau
“The City has made significant investments to support the creation of a strong network of housing and shelter options in Prince George. Yesterday’s decision confirms these investments have helped to create stable indoor options for people seeking to transition out of homelessness. We appreciate the Court’s fair and thoughtful decision with respect to the LPBE, and are aware that BC Housing is working diligently to connect the remaining encampment occupants with indoor shelter.”
Next steps
In the coming weeks, the City will begin the work of closing and remediating the LPBE, in accordance with “phased approach” set out in the order of Justice Elwood. The City will continue to support and cooperate with BC Housing in its work to ensure that encampment occupants are informed and supported as they transition into indoor shelter. Individuals in Prince George who do not have indoor shelter available to them may shelter overnight at 498 Ottawa Street between the hours of 7 PM and 9 AM, in accordance with the Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw. Individuals sheltering outdoors are encouraged to engage with mobile outreach workers from local agencies and the BC Housing Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART), who can assist with supportive housing applications.
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Media contact:
Kendall Robertson, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-5393
Email: media@princegeorge.ca
Backgrounder
Lower Patricia Boulevard Encampment (LPBE) and Encampments in Prince George Since 2021, the City of Prince George has taken a range of actions to address the challenges related to encampments, housing, and community safety. The following timeline outlines key events and initiatives:
- Spring 2021 – The first sizable encampments is established in Prince George, on George Street and in the Lower Patricia area.
- August 2021 – The City seeks a court injunction to remove encampments from public property.
- October 2021 – The BC Supreme Court considers the George Street Encampment and the LPBE in City of Prince George v. Stewart, 2021 BCSC 2089. The George Street encampment is vacated, while the Lower Patricia Boulevard site is permitted to remain.
- November 2021 – The City applies to the BC Supreme Court to appeal the decision and close the Lower Patricia Boulevard encampment.
- February 2022 – The BC Supreme Court denies the City’s application for an injunction to remove the encampment.
- March 2022 – The City withdraws its appeal related to the removal of the encampment, as part of a larger reassessment of its approach to homelessness.
- June 2022 – A portion of the 1st Avenue property is leased to BC Housing, resulting in 50 units of housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- April 2023 – Council meets with Premier David Eby to request that Prince George be made a pilot city for new provincial HEARTH & HEARTH initiatives to address homelessness.
- May 2023 – Council endorses, in principle, an area near Lower Patricia Boulevard for a proposed transitional sheltering/support facility and authorizes discussions with the Province.
- May 2023 – The Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw is amended to conform to constitutional requirements regarding temporary overnight sheltering. 498 Ottawa Street (in the Lower Patricia Boulevard area) is designated as the City’s only lawful temporary overnight sheltering site.
- June 2023 – The City becomes the first in BC to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Province to address housing and encampments.
- Spring 2023 – An dense encampment forms at Millennium Park and is vacated in September 2023 as the result of serious fire concerns.
- January 2024 – Council meets with Premier Eby to encourage expedited support for the City through provincial housing and treatment initiatives. The Province agrees to build a transitional housing facility at 3rd & London, with the City providing site preparation and utility connections.
- April 2024 – The City provides dumpsters, staff, and equipment to assist volunteers in an encampment clean-up day.
- May 2024 – The Standing Committee on Public Safety is established.
- June 2024 – Council endorses a broad plan and series of actions aimed at enhancing community safety and addressing issues related to the LPBE. The four-phase approach is developed in response to feedback from a public safety town hall held in May.
- February 2025 – The City files a claim in BC Supreme Court seeking an order to facilitate the closure of what remains of the LPBE.
- July 2025 – A three-day hearing is held in BC Supreme Court regarding the City’s application to close the encampment. The City seeks a final injunction authorizing the clearance and remediation of the site once units at the 3rd Avenue supportive housing project are offered to current occupants.