City of Prince George applies to close court-protected homeless encampment [Video]

The City of Prince George in north-central B.C. has applied to the courts in a bid to close a homeless encampment in the Moccasin Flats area, in what is the latest chapter in a long-running dispute.

An encampment on Lower Patricia Boulevard was first established in the spring of 2021 on city-owned land, at an empty dirt lot between an industrial yard and a steep hill leading to a residential neighbourhood.

In August of that year, the city asked for an injunction to remove over 50 campers there, citing public safety risk and the need to enforce city bylaws on overnight camping.

But in October 2021, the B.C. Supreme Court issued an order stating that residents could stay “absent other suitable housing and daytime facilities.”

WATCH | Volunteers build tiny homes at Moccasin Flats: As winter sets in, a group of volunteers are building insulated shelters at a homeless camp in northern B.C., despite a warning from the city that the activity is illegal.

The …