“Millennium Park cleared and secured,” cheered the City of Prince George press release, as if something meaningful had happened on Monday.
The residents of the encampment and the personal and social problems that drove them to live there in the first place are still here in Prince George.
The people are either in supportive housing, other locations or now in Moccasin Flats, the Lower Patricia encampment protected by a provincial court order that also came with an apology from the city for “inflicting serious harm on vulnerable people.”
Before the City of Prince George takes a victory lap over Millennium Park, it might want to make sure Monday’s move is not challenged in court and, if it is, it will stand. The city’s recent track record when it comes to legal advice and acting properly on that advice doesn’t inspire much confidence.
The bigger issue, however, is how permanent Moccasin Flats is becoming.
While Mayor Simon Yu referred to Moccasin Flats on Monday as “the City’s designated temporary overnight sheltering area,” the city installed a road through the site this past spring, portable toilets and garbage disposal are now provided and increasing support is being sought (electricity, water, showers). That doesn’t sound very temporary.
We’ve seen this movie before.
Food banks, needle exchanges, drop-in centres, shelters and other amenities to deal with poverty, addiction and homelessness were all supposed to be temporary measures to help people get back on their feet. Now, they are entrenched (and arguably essential) parts of the community, not just in Prince George, but throughout B.C. and Canada.
Encampments are likely the latest addition to that list.
“Millennium Park has now been fenced, and will remain closed to the public until further notice,” the city’s press release proudly proclaimed.
If only it were that easy.
Neil Godbout is the Citizen's editor.
