Advocate Claims City of Abbotsford Illegally Seeks to Evict Resident from Encampment: What You Need to Know

An advocate for unhoused individuals in Abbotsford is raising serious concerns about the actions of city bylaw officers. Brett Van Bergen, who coordinates the Drug War Survivors group, reports that bylaw officers have attempted to remove a tent and belongings belonging to a man currently hospitalized for mental health issues.

The encampment, established outside city hall since June, has recently faced legal complications. After the city issued a trespass notice on September 19, the Matsqui-Abbotsford Impact Society took the matter to court. In October, the court ruled against the city’s blanket removal of the camp. It emphasized that any displacement must happen only when adequate shelter options are available, including harm reduction services. Furthermore, the city cannot dismantle shelters unless evidence of abandonment is clear.

Van Bergen highlights that when one of the encampment’s occupants was hospitalized on March 24, he learned the bylaw officers tried to seize the man’s belongings. On March 26, they returned, accompanied by police, again claiming they would remove his possessions. Van Bergen explained that because the tent was locked and the owner intended to return, this situation didn’t meet the legal definition of abandonment. Despite his calm demeanor, bylaw officers reportedly threatened to detain Van Bergen. Fortunately, police suggested they check with legal advisors, and the items were left behind for the time being.

Van Bergen later met with the hospitalized man and obtained a letter confirming his intention to return, which he shared with the officers. As of March 28, the man’s belongings remained at the site, unresolved.

The stakes here are high. If the man’s tent is removed, he may not be allowed to return because the current court ruling states that the city must prevent new arrivals. Van Bergen explains that the encampment offers unique support and is the only designated area where individuals can sleep in tents overnight, a right supported by a 2015 Supreme Court decision.

Concerns have been raised about the city’s actions infringing on the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. Van Bergen describes it as state violence against those who are already vulnerable.

City spokesperson Aletta Vanderheyden offered a different perspective, stating there was initial confusion regarding the man’s wishes. She added that the city has been granted approval to appeal the court’s ruling, which challenges the requirement for the city to provide services beyond their scope, including mental health and harm reduction.

This situation illustrates a broader issue faced by many cities in Canada. According to recent statistics, about 235,000 people experience homelessness in Canada every year, highlighting a critical need for sustainable solutions. Local advocacy groups argue that municipalities must provide safe and designated spaces for unhoused people, something that is increasingly demanded as the crisis worsens.

The encampment at Abbotsford city hall reflects a pressing societal challenge where local governments must navigate complex legal and humanitarian considerations amidst growing public scrutiny. With about ten occupants left at the site, the call for “safe and legal” camping areas is louder than ever.

For more information on homelessness and local initiatives for support, check resources like the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.

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