'Deformities in the fish': Pollutants found in waterways near Fraser Valley encampments
Hidden along old logging roads and tucked in near rivers and waterways, are campers who have made Crown land near the Chilliwack River their homes.
Some of the encampments have been here for months, and there are old trailers as well as make-shift shelters.
“The Fraser Valley has experienced a 48 per cent increase in homelessness,” said Afia Raja, an assistant professor of land use and environment change at the University of the Fraser Valley.
She’s referencing the most recent numbers available from a homeless count in 2021. But a count later this year is expected to show a growing number of unhoused people.
“These encampments, there’s no regulation on them. It’s just illegally occupied,” she said.
There are worries for the campers as well as the environment.
Around 6,800 kilograms of garbage was recently hauled out of a camp left mostly abandoned after a fire broke out.
The clean up was crucial so the debris didn’t end up in the nearby creek and river when water levels rise.
“It’s different kinds of minerals as well that are toxic to the fishes and to the whole aquatic life that gets threatened due to these pollutants,” Raja said
A team from UFV has been periodically monitoring the Chilliwack River and has found evidence of pollutants from garbage.
“Then there are deformities in the fish as well. Plus what we drink as humans, when it reaches the larger water bodies, that also gets contaminated,” Raja explained.
She says relocating homeless people into housing is crucial.
BC Housing recently announced the construction of 49 supportive homes and 42 permanent shelter spaces for people at risk of and experiencing homelessness in Chilliwack, according to a statement from the agency.
“These spaces will address the need to house people living in encampments in the Chilliwack area, including spaces with enhanced supports,” a statement reads.
“Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Centre will operate the building and will provide supportive housing (to) residents and shelter guests with daily meals, life and employment skills training, health and wellness support services, and culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous residents.”
The Housing Ministry also says that BC Housing is funding ore than 200 shelter spaces in Chilliwack this winter. The minister was not available for an interview.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, said it takes the protection of human health and the environment seriously.
To report illegal dumping or environmental violations call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.