Residents of the Whatcom Road park and ride encampment in Abbotsford, B.C., are making plans to vacate following the issuance of a notice by the Ministry of Transportation setting an October 6 deadline for their departure. Abbotsford Police Department (APD) reported that the camp, which has been home to motorhomes for approximately five years, had fewer than 10 occupants last week.
The camp has experienced multiple incidents, including fires and a fatal shooting in March. Sgt. Paul Walker of the APD stated that the population at the encampment has decreased due to deteriorating living conditions, with around 20 to 25 individuals residing there at its peak over the past year.
Some individuals leaving the encampment, situated on provincial land, are moving on to more stable living arrangements. Daniele Testini, who lived at the camp with his dog and girlfriend, mentioned signing a lease for a house rental, marking their return to indoor living after six years. However, for others like Patrick Martins, who has been at the camp for a year, finding permanent housing has been challenging, leading them to accept temporary accommodations provided by the province.
B.C. Housing and the Ministry of Transportation declined to comment on the situation, stating they would only share essential health and safety information during the provincial election period. Testini acknowledged the support received from the ministry and local outreach teams.
The closure of the Whatcom Road encampment is the latest in a series of closures in Abbotsford, including the Cole Road and Bradner Road rest stop camps. All three sites, located on provincial land, present jurisdictional complexities in terms of enforcement.
While the APD has addressed criminal activities in and around the camp, municipal bylaws are not applicable on the site. Walker clarified that the absence of municipal bylaw enforcement mechanisms makes it challenging to compel the property owner, in this case, the Province, to address the site’s conditions. Additionally, there has been no request from the province to enforce trespass laws at the encampment.
As the relocation process unfolds, residents like Testini are optimistic about starting a new chapter indoors, reflecting on the impact of recent events at the camp. The Ministry of Transportation has not disclosed its course of action in the event that some individuals choose to remain at the camp beyond the specified deadline.