City responds to fire order non-compliance in tent city at 1 Port Drive

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 26, 2018 11:45 AM

On Wednesday, July 25, Nanaimo Fire Rescue conducted an inspection to ensure compliance of an interim order made by Mr. Justice Skolrood. The interim order requires the occupants at tent city to comply with a number of fire and life safety requirements placed by the Provincial Fire Commissioner. Fire inspectors found the majority of occupants have not only failed to comply, but many are deliberately contravening the order.

"If a fire occured in this area, it could be catastrophic," said Mayor Bill McKay, "There is a vulnerable population of people at 1 Port Drive and the City's priority is the safety of the occupants and that of the general public."

The fire department has been conducting daily inspections at tent city to assist and engage with occupants in complying with the safety requirements. According to the interim order, the occupants had one week from Wednesday, July 18, 2018 to comply. Legal counsel for the City and legal counsel for a number of the occupants in tent city have approved the order.

“Deliberate disobedience of a court order is not an option," said Troy De Souza of Dominion GovLaw LLP, legal counsel for the City of Nanaimo, "We are proceeding with all legal options including contempt, police enforcement and increased costs which will be made against the remaining occupants”

A copy of the order is attached to the online version of this news release. The City will continue to provide updates on tent city as information becomes available.

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