Editor's Note -- this is my personal opinion and not that of the Cariboo Regional District and its' Board of Directors'
That, in collaboration with the Mayor [Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor], (Williams Lake City) staff be requested to immediately look at options for calling for a State of Local Emergency in response to the increased threats to public safety;
And further, that staff investigate options for establishing a curfew from 11 pm to 6 am in collaboration with the RCMP and other local stakeholders, which would include arresting individuals engaged in unlawful activities, as well as escorting unhoused individuals to a shelter or other facility for appropriate support;
And further, that individuals in the public experiencing intoxication or severe mental issues be transported to the hospital for review of involuntary treatment.
The report from Councillor Nelson can be viewed here
The Province of BC previously had a "Curfew Act" in the 1990's which would allow the BC Cabinet/Executive Council [Premier + Ministers], upon a petition received from a rural/unincorporated area, to impose restrictions about being out in public during night time hours. This Act has since been repealed...
Meanwhile -- use of the "State of Local Emergency" by BC Local Governments' for purposes other than standard local emergencies such as flood/wildfires has previously been disallowed by the BC Ministry of Emergency Management - as was the case in late May of 2024 when former Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Ed Wood unilaterally used it to start a wildfire risk reduction program in Harrison Hot Springs after the 4 Harrison Hot Springs Councillors' of the day had budget and policy concerns and weren't prepared to go along with it, at the time. More here. The Province of BC has certain restrictions when it comes to the declaration of a "State of Local Emergency" by a BC Local Government (Municipal Council or Regional District Board). More on those here
If Williams Lake City Council does agree to Councillor Nelson's motion -- I expect Williams Lake City Staff will obtain legal advice and it will likely indicate that use of a "State of Local Emergency" will not be permitted to deal with things like vandalism in a municipality but I would be interested in hearing what legal advice City of Williams Lake Staff receives about imposing a curfew in Williams Lake during night time hours, especially when Sections 7 + 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - namely "life, liberty and security of the person" and "cruel and unusual treatment of the person"... are factored in, when considering the establishment of a night time curfew
The Williams Lake City Council meeting of Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 starts at 6:00pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St, Williams Lake) and also can be viewed live online via YouTube- click here
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