The BC Assembly of First Nations says it's celebrating the verdict in the B.C. Supreme Court case between the City of Prince George and the downtown encampment known as Moccasin Flats.
In his decision issued Feb. 23 Justice Simon Coval denied the city’s request for an injunction remove the remaining residents of the encampment.
“Justice Coval’s decision is a win for First Nations and human rights,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee in a press release.
“By continuing to target the unhoused, Prince George leadership have betrayed their commitments to reconciliation. Evidence-based policy solutions and trauma-informed practices are integral to lasting reconciliation with First Nations, particularly as survivors of the Residential School system, the 60s Scoop, and other destructive colonial policies.”
By demolishing much of the encampment on Nov. 17, 2021, Coval also stated the city was in breach of Justice Christopher Hinkson’s October 2021 ruling which allowed Moccasin Flats to remain open until suitable housing and daytime facilities were available.
Justice Coval noted, “this breach inflicted serious harm on vulnerable people.”
Moreover, the most recent ruling affirmed that Prince George’s current shelter availability does not necessarily translate into actual shelter space accessible to encampment residents.
The BCAFN says the city’s multiple efforts to remove Moccasin Flats before working to address the root cause for such encampments have created additional strain on service providers and inflicted further trauma on unhoused individuals in Prince George, of whom at least 80 per cent are Indigenous.
“Targetting the unhoused is unethical, illegal, and ineffective,” continued Regional Chief Teegee.
“Encampments are not a long-term solution; however, deliberately removing people’s shelters before providing acceptable housing options is simply cruel. If the City of Prince George is serious about addressing homelessness and advancing reconciliation, then they must drastically change their approach to this complex crisis.”
The BC Assembly of First Nations said it celebrates Justice Coval’s decision to uphold Moccasin Flats residents' right to inhabit the encampment so long as they have no other options.
In a statement following the decision, the City of Prince George says it brought this application to request a temporary injunction to allow the removal of the encampment from city property, as they are unhealthy, and unsafe.
The city said it will "continue to work with BC Housing, and other service providers, on these multijurisdictional issues for the benefit of all Prince George citizens" and "while the City continues to review the judgment, no further comment will be provided."
