Remembrance Day services could be impacted in Abbotsford due to an encampment still in place outside of city hall.
City spokesperson Aletta Vanderheyden said city staff are currently working with the Abbotsford Legion and event organizers on how the ceremony will proceed on Nov. 11.
The encampment has been in place since June 29 in the civic precinct, which includes Thunderbird Memorial Square – the site of the cenotaph and the annual Remembrance Day service.
Vanderheyden said among the options being considered for Remembrance Day is holding a service in person at the cenotaph with the pertinent individuals and groups, and having that streamed live online for residents.
She said updates on the Remembrance Day services will be posted as soon as they are available on the city’s social media accounts and on the events calendar at goabbotsford.ca.
The camp was the subject of recent court proceedings, which resulted in a ruling issued Oct. 17 by Justice Sandra Sukstorf.
The decision stated that the encampment cannot remain, but that the city must follow a “phased approach” in reducing and relocating the occupants.
Sukstorf said among the conditions the city must meet when dismantling the camp are to store and protect individuals' belongings at no cost for up to six months, avoid taking down shelters when residents are absent, and assist occupants during relocation.
As well, the justice said that displacement should only occur “when adequate shelter options, including access to harm reduction services, are available.”
Vanderheyden said the city is continuing to work with service providers and BC Housing to implement the requirements set out by Justice Sukstorf.
She said as of the day of the court decision, there were 36 tents on site and that number has not changed “despite BC Housing and community social service providers being on site each day ensuring that shelter and housing is offered to the occupants.”
The Abbotsford Drug War Survivors – the group representing the occupants – have referred to the camp as a protest and have called for the city to set aside municipal land for unhoused people.
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