A supreme court judge in British Columbia has ruled that homeless people can legally camp on public property such as parks.
"Lawyer Catherine Boies Parker, who acted on behalf of the homeless campers in their court challenge of the city's anti-camping bylaw, confirmed the 112-page judgment upheld their argument that a City of Victoria bylaw banning "temporary abodes" like tents and large tarpaulins in parks and public spaces violates the rights of the homeless.
She said the judgment noted that in the absence of sufficient safe and secure beds for the homeless, it was unconstitutional for the city to prevent them from erecting some form of overhead shelter to protect themselves from the elements.
The decision came three years to the day that a number of people were arrested for setting up a "tent city" in Cridge Park -- a small green space at the corner of Blanshard and Belleville streets. The eviction sparked the court challenge."
Read the full story: Homeless can camp in public parks
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