By Cheryl Jahn

Locals react to Moccasin Flats decision

Aug 20, 2025 | 3:38 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The ruling came down Friday, and already the metal bins are being brought to the site of the Moccasin Flats encampment. It has been a tough topic for the City and many others since the spring of 2021, when an encampment began to grow at the end of Lower Patricia Boulevard.

That summer, the City sought a court injunction to remove encampments from public property. However, the BC Supreme Court ruled that Moccasin Flats could not be removed until suitable housing was provided. Since then, 555 new supportive units have been added to this city. And last week, the courts ruled the City and BC Housing had met the threshold, giving the okay to begin dismantling Moccasin Flats.

It’s been a tough time for businesses east of Queensway.

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“My building has been set on fire,” says Randy Osmond, Owner of Randy’s Auto Service. “Nechako Brake’s been set on fire. Halfway through construction, I actually went in an alley and put out a fire because the guy was in the dumpster lighting yet another one. It just goes on and on. And it’s cost just this location, probably in excess of $250- $300,000 in damages.”

But even the City acknowledged dismantling the Moccasin Flats camp won’t mean the end of homelessness, and social activist Dawn Hemingway agrees.

“I don’t think it’s going to work, for one thing. It’s not going to end up dealing with the questions that people are concerned about. And it’s certainly not going to meet the needs of people who are in a situation where they’re living, whether it’s in Moccasin Flats. There are so many things we don’t even know about. People living on couches. I hear about people living in cars.”

Anecdotally, other business owners on the east side of Queensway are glad to see the end of the encampment on the horizon. But it is seen as a sad circumstance. “You’re not helping by leaving it the way it is,” says Osmond. “I mean, how can you live there? It’s inhumane.”

Hemingway empathizes with business owners. “Yeah, absolutely. I have empathy. Absolutely. I think we need to be able to create a situation where everyone is able to do what they’re doing and have the life that they want to have.”

There are still 20 people in the encampment. BC Housing is endeavouring to find housing for those individuals, including the ATCO at Fourth and London. Once those placements are found, they have seven days to vacate Moccasin Flats.