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Abbotsford homeless trial decision expected Wednesday

BC Supreme Court chief justice to rule Wednesday on constitutionality of city's bylaws prohibiting camping in parks.
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A decision in a Supreme Court trial between the City of Abbotsford and homeless activists is expected Wednesday

Supreme Court Justice Christopher Hinkson will issue his decision Wednesday on whether three Abbotsford bylaws, in combination with city policies and actions by staff, infringe on the Charter rights of its homeless population.

A six-week trial was held over the summer, during which the plaintiffs – the B.C./Yukon chapter of the Drug War Survivors – argued that bylaws prohibiting camping in city parks and actions taken by staff have given them nowhere to go and infringe on their rights to security of person. They said the city has also discriminated against the homeless.

The city, meanwhile, argued the homeless have housing options and do not have the right to “appropriate” public land for their uses.

For more about what is at stake, click here.

Watch abbynews.com for details of the decision Wednesday morning, as well as reaction from the City and from Pivot Legal Society, which represented the plaintiffs in court.