Abbotsford, BC – The battle over the homeless in Abbotsford and where they can and can not sleep and pitch a tent, will surface this coming Monday (January 24) in Abbotsford City Council.
The Parks By-law will be reviewed. This coming after the city was embarrassed by the October 2015 decision where a BC Supreme Court Judge ruled the Abbotsford bylaw banning homeless from camping in parks overnight was unconstitutional. Mayor Henry Braun noted that the City did accept the ruling but expressed his exasperation over the issue and vowed to take action.
That original story can be found here.
The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) noted that personal safety is paramount for the homeless as well as the right to personal liberty.
Monday’s council meeting will only see debate on this issue between 7-9PM.
A 40 bed temporary winter shelter is now in operation, built from construction trailers, but that short term facility will close in the spring, and the cycle of a “tent City” for the homeless will no doubt, be raised again.
