Abbotsford mayor reacts to B.C. Supreme Court decision in favour of homeless

The Mayor of Abbotsford says he is mostly pleased with the B.C. Supreme Court ruling that allows homeless people to set up tents in city parks the ruling allowshomeless people to set up shelter in public spaces between7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

"The ruling to meappears to be consistent with what is taking place in otherjurisdictions," said Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun, referring to a 2008 B.C. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar bylaw in Victoria.

A group of homeless people with the help of the Pivot Legal Society launched a human rights complaint against the city after chicken manure was spread on a camp in 2013.

That was beforeBraun moved into his position as mayor, replacing Bruce Banman.

He said if he had been mayor at the time, things would've played out differently.

"I,for sure would not have suggested or implied to anyone in this government to spread chicken manure that is for sure," he said.

Shelters coming

The City of Abbotsford has been criticized for not having enough shelteroptions available for those in need.

Braun says they've made significant headway in the last year.

"Council has approved 21-unit housing first project, it's the first one for men in Abbotsford," he said.

The project recentlyincreased it's capacity to31-units and construction is expected to start in a few months, he said.

City staff are also working to use space that is already available to accommodate 40 people by Dec. 1.

Braun says there are also options available through various faith groups in the city.

"There should beno reason for anybody to pitch a tent in the park.

"Having said that, there are a number of people, not a large groupbut a handful,that don't want to be in any housing of any kind [...]They want to live in a tent in thebush and leave us alone, and I'm not surehow we deal with people who are afraidto come intoa constructed building," he said.

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledAbbotsford mayor responds to homeless court decisionwiththe CBC's Rick Cluff onThe Early Edition.