Occupation removal pushes problem elsewhere: Homelessness advocate

A local advocate for the homeless is arguing the removal of a so-called “illegal occupation” outside Nelson just pushes the problem elsewhere.

Pastor Jim Reimer says he’s frustrated that Queen City police, RCMP and other agencies removed a group of people living in a camp between the highway and CP Rail line this week.

Reimer explains the homeless have often used that spot and gone unnoticed but now they’ve been pushed onto local doorways and backstreets as others have in the past.

Reimer doesn’t support the conditions the people were living in – but argues the costs of the police operation could have been directed at solutions like creating a dedicated back-packers area outside the city.

He says up to 100 people used the now cleared-out site.