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Authorities cleared the Fairview homeless encampment in Penticton, British Columbia, on Friday, enforcing a court-ordered injunction that ended months of safety concerns at the site. RCMP officers were present throughout the operation, while outreach workers assisted roughly a dozen residents as they packed up and vacated the property.
Residents Given Little Notice Before Eviction
For encampment resident John Tanghe, the eviction left little time to plan his next steps. “They decided on Monday that we had to go, and then Friday we got to get out of here,” he said. Although authorities set a noon deadline, they allowed residents extra time to clear the site, as the process proceeded without resistance.
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However, the eviction drew criticism from some community members. Danielle Savage, who gathered near the encampment with two others to highlight the impact on displaced residents, questioned the approach. “This is not going to solve the problem. It’s not very humane,” she said. “It’s going on November. It’s freezing out, and people have very modest means to stay warm, and that’s being destroyed today.”
Safety Concerns and Business Impact
The clearing follows a series of safety incidents at the encampment, including multiple fires. One fire spread to the neighbouring Leisureland RV Centre, destroying two recreational vehicles. For Leisureland owner Yvonne Marsden, the removal was overdue. “It’s been a very long time coming,” she said.
Marsden welcomed the decision from a business standpoint, but also expressed concern for those displaced. “As a business owner, happy to see it happen. Personally, though, the support for them — where are they going to go? And I feel for them in that way,” she said.
Shelter Shortage and Unanswered Questions
Meanwhile, questions remain about what support will be available to those forced out. Shelter space in the area is already at capacity. The provincial government declined to confirm whether additional resources would be provided, citing its post-election caretaker status.
This is not the first attempt to clear the Fairview encampment. A similar effort in June 2025 failed to remove all residents, and the camp eventually grew again. This time, the court-ordered injunction gives authorities legal power to enforce the removal.
Concerned resident Jeff Andrew argued that clearing the site alone will not solve the underlying problem. “I just don’t see how tearing it down right now will make things better,” he said. He called for a broader range of services, including shelter options and treatment facilities. “We need dry shelters, wet shelters, we need detox centres, we need places for people to go during the day and set up during the night,” Andrew said.
For Tanghe, the immediate priority is simply finding somewhere to go. “We really don’t know, so I’m gonna start at City Hall,” he said. “Yeah, that’s where I’m gonna go.”
