VICTORIA — The B.C. Supreme Court's top judge has refused the provincial government's request to grant an injunction forcing homeless campers from the lawns of the courthouse in Victoria.
Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson has ruled that the government didn't prove that it will suffer irreparable harm if an interim injunction was not granted.
In a written ruling, Hinkson says he's concerned that issuing an injunction would mean the homelessness problems would simply migrate to other areas of Victoria.
About 100 people remain at the homeless camp that has been slowly growing since last summer.
Lawyers for the government told the judge that they needed the injunction forcing the group off the site because campfires and a lack of facilities have created a health hazard and there's criminal activity such as drug trafficking around the camp.
Despite today's ruling, the government has asked the court to hear arguments for a permanent injunction for camping on the courthouse grounds at a trial set for Sept. 7.
