Victoria vs. Adams: el derecho de los homeless en la justicia canadiense

Abstract

 The aim of this article is to discuss the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of British Columbia to declare some bylaws of the Victoria City unconstitutional due to a violation of section 7 – “right to life, liberty, and security of the person”- of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The question before the court was whether the provisions of the bylaws prohibiting the erection of temporary overhead shelter during the night in public parks violate the respondents’ rights under section 7 of the Charter, at a time when there are insufficient alternative shelter opportunities for the City’s homeless population.

This case has been seen in Canada as a major victory for anti-poverty advocates and may potentially redefine poverty law jurisprudence with regard to section 7 of the Charter