Fort St. John calls for repeal of Bill 45 amid rising encampment concerns and provincial contradictions [Video]

FORT ST. JOHN –There are growing calls from the City of Fort St. John to abolish Bill 45, a legislative act that prevents municipalities from enacting bylaws to ban encampments.

Renewed momentum comes after ‘No Camping’ signs were installed outside the Provincial Court of British Columbia in the city.

“You can camp in any park, in any public properties that the city owns, but you can’t do it here because we’re a province of ‘do as we say, not as we do,” said Trevor Bolin, who says Fort St. John is at a breaking point.

Over the weekend, the long-time city councillor set up a tent and lawn chair outside the property in protest of the province’s contradiction to the rule, dedicating five hours to engage with residents about their concerns regarding homelessness.

Bolin is urging Premier David Ebyto scrap the legislation and untie the hands of municipalities to allow for a community-based approach …