If you see something suspicious, or to report a crime that has occurred, no matter how minor you think it may be, we strongly encourage you to call the Saanich Police non-emergency line at 250-475-4321. To report an emergency, or to report a crime in progress, please call 9-1-1.
February 1, 2019 update
The District of Saanich removed the temporary hygiene station and storage facility from the Municipal Hall campus on January 31, 2019. The facilities were installed July 10, 2018 as a responsive and temporary resource for people experiencing homelessness in our community.
The usage numbers have decreased significantly over the last several months making the facilities no longer financially viable to operate. The total cost for the installation, operation and decommissioning of the facilities is approximately $230,000.
People experiencing homelessness may seek temporary overnight sheltering from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. in many Saanich Parks. Information about available parks and restricted areas is available in our temporary overnight sheltering brochure. There are also several park washrooms in Saanich that are open year round from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. Saanich Council and staff continue to work with BC Housing to develop long-term supportive housing solutions.
December 4, 2018
The Regina Park litigation has come to an end. By consent of the parties, the Honourable Mr. Justice Branch of the BC Supreme Court granted a permanent injunction, prohibiting the defendants and all other persons having notice of the Order from making any use of Regina Park other than those uses expressly permitted under Saanich's Parks Bylaw. The Order was granted October 30, 2018. A copy of the Order [PDF - 130 KB] and the Court's Reasons for Judgement [PDF - 118 KB] are available.
October 29, 2018
Following nearly six weeks of remediation work, Regina Park has been reopened to the public. Some areas of the park remain fenced to allow grass seed to germinate. Tree planting in the park will occur over the next few weeks.
Saanich Police continue to monitor Saanich parks and other public lands in Saanich to ensure they are used lawfully. To report sheltering in parks in a manner contrary to Saanich's Parks Management and Control Bylaw, or to report any other unlawful activity occurring in a Saanich park, members of the public are asked to please call the Saanich Police non-emergency line at 250-475-4321. In any case of an emergency, members of the public should call 9-1-1.
September 21, 2018 update
The District of Saanich has received the court order [PDF - 750 KB] for the interlocutory injunctions, including the reasons for judgment, from the BC Court Registry.
September 17, 2018 update
On Friday, September 14, a group of approximately 75 people, including some who had been occupying Regina Park, marched from Rudd Park to Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) property. The MOTI property is located in a green space bordered by Blanshard Street/Hwy 17, Ravine Way, and Carey Road. When the organizers arrived at the property, a rally was held and people erected several tents. Please read the Saanich Police news release for more information and to view maps of the property.
September 14, 2018 update
Thanks to exceptional efforts by Saanich Police and the Saanich Parks Department, the Regina Park encampment was completely cleared of occupants by approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, September 13. The park remediation process will begin as soon as possible.
Saanich's Parks Management and Control Bylaw regulates temporary overnight sheltering in parks. Recent amendments align Saanich’s bylaw with the BC Supreme Court rulings on temporary overnight sheltering in parks. Of 172 parks owned by Saanich, a total of 102 may be used for temporary overnight sheltering purposes from the hours of 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Restricted areas where temporary overnight shelters are not permitted include:
- environmentally sensitive areas;
- playgrounds, spray parks or pools;
- horticultural display areas or gardens;
- skateboard bowls, tennis courts or other sports courts;
- sports fields, stadiums or dugouts;
- stages or bleachers;
- washroom facilities, picnic shelters or gazebos;
- recreation facilities;
- beaches;
- cemeteries;
- golf courses;
- pathways, bridges, boardwalks, docks or wharves;
- roads, driveways or parking facilities; or
- any land designated in the Zoning Bylaw, 2003 as Natural Park - P4N or Conservation Park – P5.
Details can be found in our Temporary Overnight Sheltering information brochure and map [PDF - 4 MB]
If you have concerns about sheltering in parks or other activities you see in a Saanich park, please call the Police non-emergency line at 250-475-4321.
September 7, 2018 update
Today the Honourable Mr. Justice Branch of the BC Supreme Court granted the District of Saanich and the Province of BC an interlocutory injunction to require Regina Park be vacated within 48 hours. Read more in our information bulletin and our updated FAQ document [PDF - 232 KB].
September 4, 2018 update
We have issued an information bulletin with facts about the fire that occurred at the encampment on Sunday, September 2.
August 31, 2018 update
Today the District of Saanich and the Province of BC concluded a five-day court hearing on the applications for injunction against the occupants of Regina Park. The Honourable Mr. Justice Branch has chosen to reserve his judgement with a decision and reasons to be provided at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 7. In the interim, Saanich Fire and Parks Departments, with support from Saanich Police, will continue regular site visits to attempt to mitigate fire and life safety risks in the park.
August 16, 2018 update
Saanich will defer to the court to decide on the consequences if the encampment occupants fail to comply with the court order issued August 13. Saanich Fire Department will continue to conduct regular site inspections every other day and provide direction to the occupants in regards to compliance.
More information is available in the updated FAQ document. [PDF - 235 KB]
August 13, 2018 update
The District of Saanich and the Province of BC’s court hearings commenced at 10 a.m. Monday, August 13. Encampment representatives appeared at the hearing to request an adjournment for more time to prepare their materials. The adjournment was granted by the court and the hearing will resume the week of August 27.
A fire order was also issued giving the encampment occupants 72 hours to comply with the Fire Order from the Office of the Fire Commissioner [PDF - 426 KB], which was served to the District of Saanich on June 29, 2018.
July 24, 2018 update
On Monday, July 23 2018 the District of Saanich commenced legal proceedings in British Columbia Supreme Court, by which an injunction will be sought to require Regina Park be immediately vacated to allow for fire risks and other hazards in the park to be addressed and, thereafter, to require that uses of the park be limited to uses permitted by Saanich’s bylaws.
Find out more in the information bulletin. More information is also available in the updated FAQs.
July 12, 2018 update
On behalf of the District of Saanich, Saanich Police issued a Notice to Cease Occupation to the occupants of the Regina Park encampment this morning with the expectation of immediate compliance.
July 11, 2018 update
July 10, 2018 update
As of Tuesday, July 10, a small temporary trailer housing four washrooms and showers has been installed at the Saanich Municipal Hall to serve as a hygiene station for people experiencing homelessness in our community. In addition, one steel storage container is located in the same area to allow people experiencing homelessness to store their basic belongings during the day.
The temporary hygiene station and property storage are part of Saanich's strategy to achieve compliance with our Parks Management and Control Bylaw [PDF - 35 KB]. The facilities have been placed here as a temporary measure while Council works with the CRD and BC Housing to develop longer-term supportive housing solutions.
Bylaw amendments in relation to people experiencing homelessness seeking temporary overnight shelter in parks were adopted by Council on July 9. The amendments have brought Saanich's bylaw in line with the court decisions around overnight sheltering in parks. The hygiene station and property storage will provide services to people experiencing homelessness and will support overnight sheltering in accordance with the bylaw.
July 6, 2018 update
On July 6, 2018 at around noon, a 43 year old woman was arrested at the encampment. The woman, who has been self-referred to as the encampment founder, was interfering and obstructing the Saanich Fire Department in the performance of their duties. The woman would not allow the Saanich Fire Department onto the property and was physically blocking them from addressing life/fire safety hazards at the site. The woman has been arrested for obstruction and will appear before the courts at a later date. Read the full news release on Saanich Police's website.
After the arrest, staff from the Saanich Parks and Fire Departments were able to continue assisting those encamped at the park to remedy the life/fire safety hazards at the site. Efforts to achieve compliance with the fire orders will continue in the coming days.
June 29, 2018 update
A Fire Order from the Office of the Fire Commissioner [PDF - 426 KB] was served to the District of Saanich on June 29, 2018. The District is working towards compliance.
June 19, 2018 update
We have issued an information bulletin to the public and media that outlines details of the recent Fire Inspection Order.
June 18, 2018 update
On Friday, June 15, the Saanich Fire Department issued a second Fire Inspection Order pursuant to the Fire Services Act.
June 14, 2018 update
June 8, 2018 update
June 6, 2018 update
As of June 1, 2018, Saanich Police have increased patrols in the area and have assigned officers to specifically focus on Regina Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods. We're hopeful this enhanced focus, and with help from residents by calling in suspicious activities, we'll be able to reduce the amount criminal activity that's occurring in the neighbourhood.
May 29, 2018 update
The District of Saanich and Saanich Police are working toward resolving the Regina Park encampment as soon as possible. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of residents, people attending local businesses in the area, and the people at the camp.
While we would all like to have this matter resolved immediately, we have to work within the framework of the law, which takes time and is beyond our control. The Regina Park encampment is an evolving legal matter, and as such there are limits on the information that we can share publicly. Within those limits, Saanich will work to keep the public, including area residents and businesses, informed of developments.
This camp is part of the roaming protest camp that has been moving throughout municipalities in the Capital Regional District (CRD) since last fall. Saanich Police have had an open dialogue with the organizer since the beginning of her campaign. The camp has been in several parks in Saanich in the past several months. At this time, it is unknown when the campers at Regina Park may leave; the organizer has not given any indication.
Saanich Parks Department visits Regina Park daily and has installed a portable toilet and two garbage containers. Saanich Parks and Fire Departments, with support from Saanich Police, conduct weekly site visits at Regina Park. Saanich Fire Department met with camp representatives to discuss a variety of fire safety issues and mitigation and to provide fire life safety education.
Saanich is aware of the challenges and impacts of homelessness and is taking steps to address this within the District. Saanich has been involved in a number of housing initiatives and projects through partnerships with the Capital Regional District as well as the provincial and federal governments. Saanich is also the largest financial contributor to the Regional Housing Trust Fund. The Fund was established by the CRD in 2005, in recognition that housing affordability is a regional priority. The Fund generates approximately $1 million for affordable housing initiatives annually. There are low barrier transitional housing and social housing options in Saanich.
Saanich Police attempt to connect people living in the camp with outreach services and are working with a number of partner agencies, such as the Housing Action Response Team (HART). HART is an outreach team focusing on encampments. The team offers support, information and advocacy to people experiencing homelessness within our community. HART is able to do “on the spot” housing assessments, social assistance applications and make referrals to other community resources.
We appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to find a long-term solution.