A building was squatted in downtown Victoria in solidarity with the APC squat and to demand that the regional governments and provincial governments build social housing. The Victoria riot squad shot tear gas into the building and arrested former APC member and Victory Squat resident Craig.

Communique from Victoria

COMMUNIQUE #1

VICTORIA’S HOMELESS SQUAT JANION BUILDING DEMAND EMERGENCY & LONG-TERM HOUSING FOR ALL

Monday, October 23, 2006

VICTORIA, BC–A dozen homeless people and supporters have occupied the Janion Building in downtown Victoria, BC, a three-storey building at the corner of Store and Pandora streets that has been vacant for nearly two decades.

“We have opened this building to provide emergency housing,” participants said in a statement. Homelessness is an emergency that is growing worse. The City, Province, Feds and police have not responded to Victoria’s growing homelessness crisis. So we have taken action ourselves.”

The Ad-Hoc Committee to End Homelessness has mobilized in defense of the Store Street Squat. Consisting of church members, trade unionists, community activists, and other concerned citizens, the Committee is encouraging Victoria residents to visit the squat immediately to prevent police from evicting the inhabitants of Victoria’s newest emergency shelter.

The participants in the squat have begun renovations in the derelict building, with drills, saws, hammers, and 2X4s to make it livable for the winter.

“This building has remained vacant long enough,” one participant said. “It is now open to provide the housing that decision-makers have refused to provide.”

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News Report

SQUATTERS REFUSE TO LEAVE JANION BUILDING

CFAX 1070
Oct 23, 2006

A group of homeless people are still squatting in an abandoned building downtown.

The ad-hoc committee on homelessness is outside supporting the group…who say they’ll be there until regional governments and the province agree to fund more affordable housing.

Committee member Ben Isitt says the squatters are prepared to stay in the Janion Building for the long-haul…but are also ready to be arrested.

Isitt says the homeless group has been planning this squat for over a month, and are well equipped for a long stay.