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B.C. Supreme Court finds Victoria has authority to restrict camping in city parks
- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled the City of Victoria acted within its authority by passing 2024 and 2025 bylaws prohibiting "temporary overnight sheltering" in Irving and Victoria West parks.
- In October 2024, petitioners Krystle Fox, Kimberly Scheu, and Shea Smith challenged the ban as "unreasonable," arguing it failed to proportionally balance their rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Justice Jacqueline Hughes ruled the 2025 bylaw "demonstrates all the hallmarks of a legislative decision," rejecting administrative review arguments while leaving the door open to "directly challenge the constitutionality of the bylaws."
- Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender expressed disappointment, stating the ruling "presents another obstacle to unhoused people seeking to challenge municipal bylaws that undermine their rights and dignity," citing protections from the 50-year-old International Covenant.
- Alexander Kirby, the petitioners' lawyer, said they are "considering our options going forward" as the court's dismissal permits a future action to directly challenge the bylaws' constitutionality.
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13 Articles
The Toronto Star+12 Reposted by 12 other sources
B.C. Supreme Court finds Victoria has authority to restrict camping in city parks
VICTORIA - The B.C. Supreme Court has found that the City of Victoria did not go beyond its authority by passing bylaws restricting overnight camping in some city parks.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left8Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Left
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
73% Left
L 73%
C 27%
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