Mayor Bloomfield has issued the following statement after a meeting with Deputy Premier and Attorney General Niki Sharma:
“Last week, the City of Penticton met with Attorney General Niki Sharma to discuss issues important to Penticton, including public safety and the Fairview Road encampment.
“Sharma confirmed that the province is working to resolve the encampment at Fairview Road and Highway 97 on the outskirts of Penticton through an injunction.
“A hearing has been set for July 20 to 30, 2026. The attorney general assured me the province is working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
“The province and the city agree the encampment is unsafe for both occupants and the broader community. It has created significant health, safety and environmental concerns.
“I am informed the province will continue to actively monitor the encampment to ensure public safety and reduce fire risk in the weeks leading up to the hearing.
“We appreciate the province’s focus on addressing the safety concerns associated with this encampment.
“The city supports a compassionate and lawful approach that prioritizes the well-being of those sheltering at the site, as well as the safety of residents and businesses.”