Victoria Pride Society (VPS) has received reports that unhoused folks were displaced by Victoria by-law and police ahead of the Memorial Drag Ball Game in Victoria West Park on July 1. We have followed up with these organizations as Victoria Pride strongly believes that displacement of those sheltering the park is unacceptable. Victoria Pride has been told that by-law officers and outreach workers relayed information about the event to those sheltering in the park and that there was no instruction to leave the park. We have been told some chose to leave because of sensory needs or because they did not wish to be around large crowds.

As in past years, VPS works to support those who may be impacted by our events and we will continue to learn how to better do this. The VPS Festival Director contacted Solid Outreach to ask if they would do a health check during the evening prior to the event and called the City of Victoria to advise that VPS would provide water and food to anyone sheltering in the park as we have done in past years. We recognize that the housing crisis is causing a lot of harm in our communities and disproportionately affects gender, sexual and relationship diverse and equity-deserving communities. We will continue to work to ensure our events are inclusive, safe and accessible for all and recognize that there is still more to be done.