History is being made in Victoria BC. Two lawyers (Cathie Boies Parker and Irene Faulkner) have challenged a city bylaw that made it illegal to sleep outside in public places. They took the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada, and they won. Madam Justice Ross ruled, in October 2008, that it's a violation of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms to prevent people from erecting a shelter to protect themselves from the elements when no other options are available to them. This is a tiny segment from a 2 hour discussion with the lawyers today.
None of the major media were present at this event. Only one elected city representative, Sonya Chandler, was there. Mayoral candidates Steve Filipovic and Kirsten Woodruff were in attendance, also some candidates for council including Tavis Dodds (the guy who asks the question), John Turner, John Luton, David Shebib, and Rose Henry.
