January 29, 2016

VIA E-MAIL
Ref: 226484

Honourable Amrik Virk

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens Services
E-mail: TIACS.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Dear Colleague:
I am aware that the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens Services (MTIC) is currently
involved in, and addressing, issues regarding an encampment of individuals that established a tent
city on provincial property adjacent to the Victoria Courthouse. As you are aware, campers began
occupying the site in November 2015 and the number of tents has grown since then.
Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) staff have informed me that as many as 10
children and youth, some whom are children in care, are living in or frequenting tent city. However,
the circumstances at the site are fluid and it has been very difficult for social workers and police to
confirm the number or identity of youth on the site on any given day. There have been reports that at
least two youths have been sexually assaulted. As you are aware, one adult camper died from an
overdose, there are reports of drug usage, violence and physical assaults among the campers and the
hygiene on the site is very poor. MCFD social workers and police have determined that this site
poses a substantial and unacceptable risk to the safety and well-being of any children or youth living
in or frequenting the site, due to these risks.
Ministry staff have been working with our community partners at the local level, including service
organizations and the Victoria City Police, to implement a plan to prevent youth from attending this
site. This includes daily visits by delegated child protection social workers who attempt to identify
children and youth on the site and use all measures available to move them from the site to safe and
appropriate accommodations which we have available for them. Despite these significant efforts,
campers may be actively helping youths evade social workers and undermining efforts to assist these
youth in receiving appropriate services, including stable residential care and support.
MCFD staff have sought to explore with your ministry, and the Ministry of Justice, an intermediate
strategy that would see private security on hand to verify age at the site with those under 19 years of
age being considered in need of protection according to the Child, Family and Community Service
Act. We are advised that for practical and legal reasons this is not an option. I have asked staff to
follow up further to explore the boundaries of all that we may do under current legislation.

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Ministry of
Children and Family
Development

Office of the
Minister

Mailing Address:
Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC V8V 1X4

Location:
Parliament Buildings
Victoria

I understand a letter was delivered from MTIC to the campers on Friday, January 8, 2016, to request
that the campers make other arrangements; however, there has been no movement on the part of the
campers to dismantle the site as a result of that request. There is also the growing risk that the current
tent city will grow to other sites not covered by the municipal bylaw.
In my view, the only way to adequately protect the children and youth from the risks associated with
this type of encampment is to dismantle the tent city. It is my understanding that it is likely that a
court injunction will be necessary to accomplish this and that it could take several weeks to seek an
injunction. In order to protect children and youth from the risks that this encampment poses, I ask
that you and your staff give consideration to an injunction and action to support it as soon as possible
given the risk to young people arising from the occupation.
Thank-you for considering our position and we hope to work with you further to protect the children
and youth who frequent the encampment.
Sincerely,

Stephanie Cadieux
Minister