Merritt mayor sounds alarm over rumours street population may be migrating from Lower Mainland ahead of FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in Vancouver in June, with BC Place Stadium playing host to seven games of the tournament. As the big event nears, Interior community leaders are sounding the alarm over what they believe may be a situation where homeless people are being incentivized to leave Vancouver.

It started with a conversation with a local resident, then a business owner and finally Friday (April 17) morning, Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz received a phone call from his community’s RCMP commander.

“A lot of people are calling it the ‘FIFA clean-up’. I can’t verify that is what this is,” Goetz told CFJC News. “But when you get a call from your commander saying we are seeing a huge problem at this point – ‘it’s exploding’ (were) his exact words.”

Part of Goetz’s concern is with the shelter full, people experiencing homelessness are then forced onto the streets in a community they are unfamiliar with.

“We are seeing a vast amount of people coming to our community who are being incentivized to leave the coast to come to our community because we have a shelter,” said Goetz. “Right now, our shelter is full and the unfortunate part is when they do arrive, there is no spot for them. Then they become part of the community, they aren’t used to the community they aren’t sure where the services are.”

Goetz did not posit a theory on what agency or individual might be providing the alleged incentives. The Ministry of Housing provided a written statement to CFJC News denying any involvement.

“Allegations that the province is moving people out of Vancouver to prepare for the FIFA World Cup are untrue and harmful to the work being done to connect vulnerable people with homes and supports,” reads the statement from Minister Christine Boyle.

n Kamloops, Supt. Jeff Pelley stated he is unaware of people coming into the community.

“We are going to continue to examine that because if individuals are being brought into this community for just displacement, then it is a concern for us,” responded Pelley to a question from Goetz during a TNRD meeting Friday morning.

Goetz highlighted the small community of Merritt does not have the capacity to deal with the increase in people.

“This is why communities don’t want shelters or services in their community. The taxpayers end up having to foot all the problems that come with it. We are talking a lot of downtown disruption and a lot of citizens not wanting to use our downtown, and that has got to come to an end,” added Goetz.

Merritt’s mayor is asking his community to be on the look out and share any information with him.

“Because right now, it’s just hearsay. Until you can get something that says this is actually happening, it’s hearsay,” reiterated Goetz. “But when you are finding out your property crime is going through the roof in seven days, and it’s become a concern for our RCMP, then something has to be done.”