There are several 'no camping' signs outside the Vernon Courthouse and in Justice Park (pictured).
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
June 13, 2016 - 9:00 PM
OKANAGAN - The provincial government is making sure everyone knows you can’t camp outside government buildings.
Signs dictating 'no camping’ went up recently at courthouses in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, and the province says they are in response to a tent city erected outside the Victoria courthouse. There are also signs in Justice Park, across from the Vernon Law Courts.
The Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services started installing the signs in February at 55 prominently located, provincially-owned buildings in 34 communities, according to a written statement from the province provided to iNFOnews.ca.
The signs were installed to “clarify that camping is not appropriate at these locations.”
“These signs were put up in response to the tent city that has been established at the provincially-owned property behind the Victoria courthouse,” reads the statement. “The objective is to ensure that these government buildings and lands remain available for the benefit and use of all citizens.”
The criteria used to determine which provincial buildings would have ‘no camping’ signs included those on lands where local bylaws prohibit camping, areas that are environmentally sensitive, lands that are used or intended to be used for commercial or other revenue-generating purposes, areas where there may be safety concerns relating to camping and areas that have been improved with buildings, driveways, pavement, staircases or landscaping, states the province.
People have been camping on the lawn of the Victoria courthouse since November 2015.
One of the new 'no camping' signs outside the Kelowna Courthouse.
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016