Tent city and encampment legislation

Last revised July 09, 2024

Tent city and encampment legislation is not yet in force.

On November 6, 2023 the Province of BC introduced legislation under Bill 45, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 4), 2023.  Sections 1 and 2 of that Act made amendments to both the Community Charter (adding section 274.1) and the Vancouver Charter (adding section 334.1).

These amendments include a description of “reasonably available alternative shelter” in situations where local governments are seeking an injunction to enforce bylaws in relation to encampments.

According to a Ministry of Housing news release, the purpose of establishing a description is to inform a court’s analysis of injunction applications for a decampment. The Province wants to set a standard for greater clarity for the enforcement of bylaws through injunctions, while also ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have access to suitable shelter that is able to provide for their basic needs.

The Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 4), 2023, SBC 2023 c. 49, received Royal Assent on November 30, 2023.  Sections 1 and 2 come into force by regulation.  As of July 8, 2024, those sections are not yet in force.

See: Legality of park encampments and Current government response to tent cities and encampments.

This information is current to the date of review and the information may have changed as the situation is evolving.