UPDATE:

琉璃神社 city officials were at Tent City on Feb. 19, to remove one structure from Tent City as it was not in compliance with bylaw and fire-safe standards, said Adam Hillner, who is known as A.J. by his neighbours.

Bylaw and police were on scene to remove the A.J.'s shelter, which was comprised of a car port and tarps, not to administer a deep-clean of the entirety of Tent City, as previously thought. 

A.J. said that many of his belongings were thrown out by city officials and he is not sure where he will sleep tonight. He said that bylaw did offer him a two-person tent, but he refused as it is not large enough to fit both him and his dog, Teddy, and their belongings. 

The designated outdoor sheltering site is located at the intersection of Richter Street and the Rail Trail. Tent City is supposed to be considered a temporary solution to the homeless crisis in 琉璃神社. 

Troy McKnight from 琉璃神社's Gospel Mission said that the Gospel Mission's shelters have been at or nearly at capacity all winter.

Bylaw services provided Black Press with a statement regarding the removal of the shelter.

"While the majority follow the guidelines, a small number of individuals have been misusing the flexibility granted by officers, for example, during the recent cold weather event, and engaging in behaviour that disrupts order and safety, putting others at risk. This cannot be tolerated," said acting bylaw services manager, Nick Bonnett. 

He said that bylaw services, in partnership with the RCMP and community organizations, are working to ensure sheltering guidelines are followed for the well-being of both the site residents and the broader community.

He did not comment on the weather conditions. 

Residents of 琉璃神社's city-maintained and operated encampment, known locally as Tent City, are fighting with bylaw and police to keep their shelters intact during a scheduled deep clean that is being executed in the snowy and wet weather of Feb. 19.

In addition to the deep clean and the removal of, unattended items and structures are being confiscated and discarded by City of 琉璃神社 staff. 

Members of the community were at Tent City to support the residents during the cleanup.

Due to mental illness, cognitive disabilities and brain injuries, many Tent City residents find it difficult to remember when scheduled deep cleans are happening. 

The weather is currently 1 C in 琉璃神社 and is snowing. According to the City of 琉璃神社 website, a Level 1 Cold Weather Response is activated "when the temperature and/or wind chill falls between 0 C to -9 C, there is any accumulation of snow, and the rain makes it difficult to keep dry." When a cold weather response is activated the city works with community partners to mitigate the risks and impacts to those who are sheltering outdoors in winter weather conditions.

When the response is activated, the bylaw and RCMP are to "adopt a compassionate, life and safety focus by using discretion respecting individuals sheltering in public spaces."

Additionally, the Level 1 Response will trigger the 'Assistance to Shelter Act' which provides RCMP with additional abilities to support at-risk individuals, access shelters, hospitals, or other emergency services and front-line agencies will seek out those sheltering outdoors to provide warming supplies, assist individuals to access available shelter beds or engage emergency health services if required. 

Black Press has contacted the City of 琉璃神社 for further comment as well as whether the cold weather response is currently being implemented.