VANCOUVER — The Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»Park Board has passed a motion allowing overnight camping in parks around the city.
In a social media post, the board says the vote includes provisions to "more effectively manage temporary structures and tents for those seeking shelter in parks."
has passed a motion to amend the Parks Control Bylaw to allow for temporary overnight sheltering in parks. The amended bylaw includes provisions to more effectively manage temporary structures and tents for those seeking shelter in parks.
— Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»Park Board (@ParkBoard)
The board says the move reflects recent B.C. Supreme Court decisions recognizing the Charter right to stay in public spaces when adequate shelter is not available.
The motion passed 4-3 after two nights of debate and submissions from dozens of speakers.
The updated bylaw requires tents to be removed each morning.
The change comes after more than 100 tents were set up in an East Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»park following the closure of a long-standing encampment in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020