25965 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

The emergence of encampments at Beacon Hill Park has raised concerns at Victoria City Hall that ecologically sensitive areas and Indigenous cultural sites are at risk.

 

As of Sunday, there was at least one encampment with four tents situated at the park’s Garry oak meadows, one of the rarest types of ecosystem in the country. In Canada, they only exist on southeast Vancouver Island, in the Gulf Islands, and in the Fraser River Valley.

 

Thomas Soulliere, the city’s Director of Parks, confirmed that there are “shelters in locations that are considered sensitive ecological areas” at a Victoria Council committee meeting last Thursday, after multiple councilors said they have been informed of concerns about encampments situated in Beacon Hill.

 

“As part of the dialogue that quite a number of staff members are having with the individuals sheltering in those spaces, we are attempting to get them moved into other areas that are not as ecologically sensitive,” he added.

 

Soulliere said the city has put fencing up in certain areas and is adding signage to discourage people from setting up tents at ecological and culturally important sites.

 

The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, an environmental charity, says that less than 5% of Garry oak and associated ecosystems in B.C. remain in near-natural condition. In addition, over 100 species of plants, animals and insects that live in the ecosystems are officially considered “at risk.”

 

“Beacon Hill Park has an abundance of natural features and sensitive ecology, most notably being the Garry oak ecosystem,” said Bill Eisenhauer, a city spokesperson, in a statement to The Capital. “In addition to the Garry oak ecosystem, an example of a threatened species is the Yellow Montane Violet, Viola praemorsa.”

 

https://www.capnews....nt-city-ecology

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 June 2020 - 06:43 AM.

[Nparker]

...As part of the dialogue that quite a number of staff members are having with the individuals sheltering in those spaces, we are attempting to get them moved into other areas that are not as ecologically sensitive...

Like the hotel/motel rooms they have likely been offered but have refused because they come with rules?

[mbjj]

I took a walk in the park the other day and took a photo of that "Stop" sign and then a nearby tent. I just haven't had time to do anything with them (they're on a camera not a phone). I'll try post them later. My daughter and I thought, oh the irony, one so close to the other.

[spanky123]

Tried as hard as she did, Victorians refused to elect Rose Henry.

 

That is because as much as the left wants to opine on issues for FN, they are reluctant to elect anyone who might actually hold them accountable for that.

[spanky123]

So when the Victoria council decided to earmark $300K for Covid relief, was all of that intended to be spent on homeless support, or was it intended to be spent on a number of initiatives that would benefit and support all residents and businesses during the crisis?

I can’t find the background rationale wording for the expenditure.

 

That $300K has been spent 2 or 3 times over by now.

[North Shore]

According to 'WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED' F/B group, there's a fire at the Comfort Inn on Blanshard...

[Mike K.]

Again?

[E2V]

More trouble starting the sacred fire.

[Nparker]

According to 'WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED' F/B group, there's a fire at the Comfort Inn on Blanshard...

https://www.vicnews....of-remediation/

[sebberry]

"leaves 20 suites in need of remediation"

[Nparker]

"leaves 20 suites in need of remediation"

More of my tax dollars down the drain.

[Victoria Watcher]

shocker.

who would ever have thought housing up to 90 drug addicts in rooms with locking doors would lead to issues.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 June 2020 - 11:04 AM.

[Awaiting Juno]

What we're doing isn't working, yet we insist on doing it over and over again.  Really.  Anyone else tired of this show and wanting to change the channel?  Hotel rooms and converted facilities might be part of the answer, but they are likely not the "first step".  Sadly, too many want to skip to "everyone is housed" without really thinking about the pre-cursers that make that happen for people.  Without having those pre-cursers to independent living in place, the risk of failing and failing yet again rises.

 

We need shelters - safe spaces where people can get rest, practice hygiene and access resources (including needs assessments and access to rehabilitation).  Spaces where people are supervised, where weapons aren't allowed, where people can begin to build a path to an independent and self-sufficient life.  

 

Ideally, all major cities in Canada would build such facilities to minimize the risk of having people migrate towards those cities that do more for their homeless population.  Ideally, having such facilities available would enable cities to enforce their bylaws regarding camping in public parks.  

 

Maybe knowing that there are rules that must be followed if one chooses to be in Victoria would be enough of a deterrent for those who have no inclination to follow rules from choosing to be here.

[spanky123]

^ Most cities have facilities but there are rules and restrictions attached. They have been smart enough to realize that providing everything for free without any commitment to treatment or just draws amplifies the problem.

Edited by spanky123, 02 June 2020 - 11:26 AM.

[Nparker]

What we're doing isn't working, yet we insist on doing it over and over again...

Doing something different might actually solve the problem and I think it's been established that an actual solution is not in the "industry's" best interest.

[spanky123]

shocker.

who would ever have thought housing up to 90 drug addicts in rooms with locking doors would lead to issues.

 

At least with the City getting into the home ownership business the costs for these follies will be easy to FOI.

[Victoria Watcher]

word is coming in paul's has been bought for the homeless.

[GetLisaSomeHelps]

Any predictions on the next hotel to be sold to the province?

I'm locking in on Paul's Motor Inn.

That didn't take long.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Paul’s has been bought: https://www.cheknews...omeless-672412/

[Mike K.]

Wow. Just wow.