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Deadline arrives to empty out Island 22 encampment in Chilliwack

Homeless campers notified by Shxwhá:y Village they’d have to vacate camp by Jan. 31

Heavy equipment was at work in the Island 22 homeless encampment on Tuesday morning, the day before the eviction deadline.

An estimated 40 to 50 people had been living in tarp-covered structures, tents, motorhomes and RVs just outside the Island 22 Regional Park in Chilliwack.

The campers were notified in early December they would have to vacate the area by Jan. 31, which is on private land now owned by Shxwhá:y Village, or be considered trespassing.

On Jan. 30 resident Danny Holmes had his motorhome packed and ready to go as required by the trespass notice.

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Danny Holmes sits in his motorhome at the Island 22 encampment on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. He said he was all ready to head out the next morning, on eviction day, with his belongings. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Shxwhá:y Chief Robert Gladstone delivered notices to residents, and said outreach workers would be assisting in the process.

Gladstone told The Chilliwack Progress, “it breaks my heart to have to do this. But this is something that is needed to serve the greater good.”

The property is earmarked to become a primary staging area for the upcoming flood protection project to protect local First Nations.

READ MORE: Jan. 31 deadline given to Island 22 campers

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering city hall, Indigenous, business, and climate change stories.
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