A man is claiming that a Ladysmith Bylaw Officer discriminated against him based on his appearance while he walked his dog at Transfer Beach Park on the morning of Friday, May 29.
Brent Remley said that a bylaw officer accused him of being homeless and ‘squatting in a tent’ nearby at Transfer Beach. Remley believes the officer was profiling him because of his long hair and long beard.
The interaction between the two began when the bylaw officer noticed Remley walking his dog on the wrong side of the road, which was in violation of social distancing rules in place at Transfer Beach Park. Remley said he walked to the other side of the road as instructed, and was then followed by the officer.
“I continued my walk, then she followed me. I tied my dog up in the dog park for a minute because I had to use the washroom, and when I came back she accused of being homeless,” Remley said. “I can’t even describe it, it was completely disgusting.”
“If I was a clean shaven person walking my dog down there she’d probably have no problem with me.”
Remley said the bylaw officer followed him in a vehicle for the remainder of his walk through Transfer Beach Park.
The Town of Ladysmith declined to comment on the interaction, saying in a statement that they do not comment on matters of bylaw enforcement. It is against Town of Ladysmith bylaws for any person to camp in Town owned parks. Remley was not camping at Transfer Beach.
Remley is originally from Prince Edward Island, and works across Canada building skate parks. Remley said his dream is to build a boat and sail around the world. He is staying in Ladysmith while working on his boat.