As the City of Courtenay considers a new bylaw for parks and open spaces, unhoused individuals are asking for clearer language, guidance and care from officials as the bylaw is being made.
While the bylaw addresses multiple different aspects of parks and open space, the main concerns for the area’s unhoused fall along restrictions on sheltering in parks. Many add that regulations have become blurry in recent years, including Patrick Balance.
The 66-year-old former logger has been homeless since 2016, after his father passed away and he fell into drug addiction. He says there has been more inconsistency between bylaw and the area’s unhoused, making living a difficult situation.
“I usually sit around back here [by the Courtenay Library], smoke cigarettes and whatnot, it’s right next to where we sleep at Connect [Warming Centre] and they come and tell us to get out of the way,” said Balance.
“The next day they’ll just drive right past you as you sit there. I’m conflicted about what the rules really are. It’s confusing and then it makes it hard for me to be comfortable anywhere, as far as going out camping in the bush or anything, I feel like a sitting duck.”
Karry Corrigal, meanwhile, considers himself lucky to have a space to call home in his van. Having been homeless since 2021/2022, he says he has watched the situation in downtown Courtenay get worse year after year.
“I feel for what’s happening out here, and it’s getting worse,” he said. “What’s right today is not right tomorrow. Whoever wants to hear, come to the meeting.
“Better yet, we’ll give you a sleeping bag and you’ll go out for three nights. We’ll shine flashlights in the middle of the night at your face, and you’re going to be wet and cold. Then we’re going to take your tent.”
As the situation worsens, former unhoused individual and peer outreach worker James Foulis adds to Corrigal, saying there seems to be a loss of energy.
“People are losing hope, they’re losing their spark, they’re losing their initiative, they have nothing left in them,” he said. “What I’m trying to do by doing what I’m doing here is trying to show that we can still have our spark.”
The proposed bylaw passed its first and second readings in January, and the Coalition to End Homelessness asked for it to be put on pause in a delegation.
As the city makes more considerations, the area’s unhoused is asking for more clear language and care when considering the rules and regulations.
“Be more lenient, help a little more, there is help out there but not quite enough,” said Balance.
“Get rid of the fancy words so it is plain and understandable,” added Corrigal. “Bylaw, they don’t know what to do, but I can’t say they are getting better.”
Foulis adds consultations need to treat others as people and humans, and Corrigal and Balance urge the need for more housing in the area to give people a better foundation.
“If people had houses, they’d have a base and maybe they’ll get better,” said Corrigal.
“Housing for seniors, particularly seniors because it’s harder for us to be out there than someone younger for us,” added Balance. “Hopefully, it will just continue down the line and get more normal housing for them too.”
