Press Releases

On October 7, 2016, the City of Chilliwack applied to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Chilliwack for an injunction to remove people camping in Empress Lane. The matter has been adjourned until Wednesday, October 12, 2016.

City Bylaw staff have been dealing with a growing number of homeless persons who have chosen to set up tents, tarps and other shelters within the area known as the Empress Lane Parking Lot. This parking lot is in the downtown core bounded by Young Road, Princess Avenue, Yale Road and Nowell Street.

In September, the City of Chilliwack issued notice to the persons camping on properties around Empress Lane that they were in contravention of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Bylaw 2006, No. 3290. As the individuals refused to remove their property, the City of Chilliwack determined that pursuing legal action through a court injunction was the best approach to take to clear the property.

On June 7, 2016, City Council adopted a Chilliwack Homelessness Action Plan to address homelessness and the need for increased affordable housing in Chilliwack. This plan was developed collaboratively with health, social services, housing, and public safety service providers, and outlines clear goals, effective strategies, and specific actions to address homelessness, and the various needs for affordable housing in Chilliwack.

After the BC Supreme Court ruled that municipalities cannot impose blanket prohibitions on homeless individuals setting up temporary structures in public parks, the City of Chilliwack updated the Parks Bylaw in order to manage that usage. Through the updated bylaw, the City strives to accommodate both the Charter rights of homeless people and the rights of residents to use public parks for recreation purposes. The City is seeking the present court injunction in part to implement and enforce the guidelines outlined in the bylaw.