Yukon court bans camping for the homeless

Yukon lands officials have won a court order aimed at a problem squatter in the Whitehorse area.

The Yukon Supreme Court order targets a man and his daughter camping at Scout Lake.But authorities hope it will discourage others from copying his tactics.

Over the last three years, PiotrKijewski, 50,and his teenagedaughter have been living at a variety of bush camps around Whitehorse.

He calls it camping but government lands authorities consider them squatters, as they are illegally occupying crown land.Every time he's evicted,Kijewskijust moves his camp.

Lands Director Colin McDowell says the order makes camping illegal if you don't have a fixed Yukon address.

Any person not having apermanentresidence in the Yukon is unable to set up a tent camp or trailer on territorial lands and use that shelter as a place of residence, and that's the emphasis on the place of residence," saysMcDowell.

Hesays the order will not affect camping rights of Yukon residents or tourists.

Additional orders barKijewskifrom returning to his last campsite at Scout Lake, or any other crown land in the territory.

Lands officials believe he is currently living with friends in Whitehorse. He told authorities he moved closer to town this winter so his daughter would have better access to school buses.