A local seniors’ group is raising concerns about the proposed new bylaw that would allow the homeless to camp in local parks.
The seniors group say the bylaw should first go to public hearing before any decision is made.
“High-impact measures such as contained in the bylaw ought to go to a public hearing and not be rushed through during a pandemic,” says Herbert Vesely, the director of the Squamish Seniors Centre Society.
The society is concerned about potential conflicts between homeless campers and seniors who will be taking Tai Chi and art workshops this Summer at the O’Siyam pavilion in Junction Park and using the washrooms there.
The Arts Center Building and the Farmers Market are in or adjacent to this park and may also be impacted, according to Vesely.
Vesely noted that Squamish had trailers at Xwu’nekw Park at the Blind Channel before Helping Hands transitioned to their present facility.
“If council felt we had to do more to accommodate the hard to house why not keep those trailers over the summer?” he says.
“It is our firm belief that there is no need to change bylaw in order to make camping in Municipal parks legal,” he wrote in a letter to the council.
Vesely noted that Victoria and Vancouver were closing their parks for use as homeless shelters, but Squamish Municipal staff recommended “adherence to some nebulous provision of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms to shelter (where in the Charter is it?) by doing the exact opposite.”
The bylaw changes that council will discuss today will support homeless people who have a right to shelter on public land with regulations, district says.
The bylaw changes will strengthen the district’s ability to mitigate against environmental and social impacts in the community, especially areas with high-impact history, says Rachel Boguski, communication manager with the district.
“It’s important to keep in mind that the District utilizes a combination of bylaws to regulate behaviour across the community. No single bylaw addresses everything,” Boguski says.
Joy Boulier says
I strongly agree our parks should not be turned over to camping for the homeless. The people of Squamish use these parks and we pay taxes. Turning it into a camp for the homeless is not beneficial for anyone especially those that live downtown. You will start a situation the same as what Vancouver and Victoria has had. If need be, then bring back the trailers but leave our parks for the majority of people of Squamish. The people of Squamish need a say in this decision, not just council who obviously does not have Squamish in their best interest.
john lowe says
There is lots of land that Squamish has the ability to utilize that would better suit the homeless than trying to put them in a place where confrontation is a strong possibility. Why try to put people in a place they don’t want to be and the general public doesn’t want to lose use of. Lets find areas where they can feel free to do their own thing and not be bothered by interaction with the public.
Alex says
How smug can you be sitting in your cosy home. Give people without a HOME a break. How can you say that the need for you to be waving your hands in the air trumps someone who has nowhere to sleep I wonder what Jesus thinks of you.
doug stewart says
why are the homeless not allowed in the parks of valleycliff,the high lands and brackendale are they not wanted there or are our council people trying to corral them into one area. maybe they can be moved into the university until new under one roof situations can be built,after all the university is empty and will remain so until the virus is done. the place is ready to go and would be cheaper to rent than losing our parks like van and vic but maybe squamish coucil has money stashed to rebuild the parks instead of using money for the much needed infrastructure that has been ignored by every council. sewage plant for instance