MLA wants action on homeless encampment near Kamloops after Peachland camp cleared

Pressure is building on the provincial government to take action on Kamloops-area homeless encampments lining a forest road just north of the city.

Makeshift structures and RVs have been stationed in camps along the Jamieson Creek forest road and its offshoots since at least 2022, but opposition MLA Ward Stamer said little has been done to oust them or address pollution in the area.

In a letter to several BC ministries, the Kamloops-North Thompson MLA said he got involved last fall. He’s lobbying again to address the “illegal land use” after a similar group of encampments were cleared near Peachland just last month.

“There is a growing unease within the Westsyde community regarding fire danger, environmental degradation, public safety, and property-related concerns,” his letter reads.

The enforcement on the Trepanier Creek homeless encampment near Peachland came after mounting pressure on the province as area residents counted dozens of squatters, and around 20 trailers, along with tents and makeshift structures.

Several agencies coordinated to clear out the camp, including police and the ministries of housing, social development, forests and environment. Squatters were given two weeks to disperse in early May and the area was subsequently cleared with thousands of pounds of trash carried out.

“A comparable approach is urgently needed in (the Jamieson Creek) case,” Stamer’s letter reads.

The Jamieson Creek camps likely aren’t home to quite as many people, but they are scattered in various spots for 10 kilometres along the gravel road. The road is roughly 13 kilometres north of The Dunes golf course in Westsyde.

There have been no major fires in the area so far, but he said raw sewage has been dumped into the creek from at least some of the trailers.

He also said there has been little to no enforcement in the area by RCMP or Natural Resource Officers, but he did say last fall that BC Wildfire personnel have periodically cleaned camps and towed vehicles.

Spokespeople for the ministries of housing and environment were not immidiately able to comment on plans for Jamieson Creek homeless encampments.