Campers from Regina Park in Saanich have found a new location to set up their tents in a green space bordered by Blanshard Street, Ravine Way, and Carey Road. It is a roughly 500 meters from Regina Park. On September 14th, a group of approximately 75 people, including some who had been occupying Regina Park marched from Rudd Park to Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure property.
Saanich Police immediately contacted the property owners, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, to see if they would provide support for the Saanich Police Department to enforce the provisions of the Trespass Act. To this point, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have not authorized police to enforce the Trespass Act and remove the encampment from the property.
The Police say the camp has become increasingly entrenched with large quantities of furniture and materials delivered to the site, and the population has quickly grown to approximately 25 tents. Officers are also saying there is also a significantly more confrontational tone to the group than experienced during the 5+ month Regina Park Encampment.