Discontent City is expecting a decision today regarding a possible injunction against the homeless camp.
The Supreme Court of British Columbia will release its ruling on the City of Nanaimo’s statutory injunction case against Discontent City on Friday at 10:30 a.m., according to Noah Ross, attorney representing a number of individuals involved with tent city.
“Roughly, [the ruling] will be out around then,” Ross said.
He said the ruling will not be made in a court session, but instead lawyers from both sides will receive the decision via e-mail and it will also be publicly released online.
A press release e-mailed to the News Bulletin on Thursday evening by Alliance Against Displacement also indicated that a ruling was expected to be made public on Friday. A second press release advised that Discontent City residents and supporters were no longer planning to go to the courthouse and would instead hold a press conference at noon to offer reaction to the decision.
“We’re going to wait for the results and then deal with what happens…” said Sophie Wendling, camp supporter. “People are nervous and excited.”
She said there’s been no indication of what the judge’s decision will be.
“I’m hoping and praying that it’s going to be for Discontent, but I am very unsure,” Wendling said.
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She said no decision has been made by Discontent City as to what actions would be taken if the injunction is granted, as far as complying or resisting.
“We really hope that what’s happing to Camp Namegans [in Saanich] right now won’t happen to us,” Wendling said. “Three hundred people displaced without a place to go, it’s going to be really messy. If what happened in Victoria happens here, it’s going to be a disaster.”
She said Discontent City residents are “very cold and wet” right now and said tents and food are always needed.
Mayor Bill McKay said he had not heard that a decision was expected Friday. A lawyer for the city was not available for comment.
-with files from Greg Sakaki/The News Bulletin
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
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