City apologizes for encampment removal; withdraws appeal case

PRINCE GEORGE—The City of Prince George has released an apology for “causing harm to vulnerable citizens.” This is in relation to when city officials used heavy equipment to remove portions of the Lower Patricia encampment. The city acted on the belief that the encampments were abandoned.

“Throughout this process, the City has acted in good faith, with the benefit of legal advice, and in partnership with BC housing and other service providers.” said Michael Kellett, Senior Communications Officer with the City of Prince George.

Lawyers for the City says it withdrew their appeal in the case of Prince George v. Stewart. They concluded that pursuing an appeal would likely not work. “…The Stewart case is unlikely to achieve either the immediate result of closing the Lower Patricia encampment or otherwise addressing the City’s concerns relating to encampment s in the city,” said Kellett.