How a man living in Vancouver's Stanley Park for 30+ years survived "off the grid"
Christenson Bailey started camping in the thick forest of Vancouver's Stanley Park in 1990. And he still lives there today.
He moved into a tiny campsite hidden deep in the forest of the city park to make art for the last three decades, and he has lived on next to nothing.
In part 2 of her series, Global's Alissa Thibault learns how Bailey managed to access healthcare and other services and survive extreme weather events while living "off the grid" for 34 years.
For more info, please go to globalnews.ca/news/10430020/s...
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This was not an interview, it was a how to for future generations.
I live in the west end and I kinda want to pitch and tent and stop paying rent. I thought I’d have to go up north for that but eh, Stanley park is right outside my window
how to for this summer more like
He seems more balanced, healthy and at peace than anyone I see stuck in traffic.
or some of our politicians
Or most in Surrey
His campsite is now worth over 2 milions due to hyperinflation in Candada.
It would be a gift for the community to build Christopher a cabin. Hes healthier than most men in thier 40's and 50's. and a treasure that has earned a home. ❤❤❤. Blessings
Is nobody going to comment on how hilarious and ingenius the wild goose ambush was?
Sounds like poaching to me.
Throw a lil grain in the water .... they show up... yah bag it... 😂☠️
@@44Paws lol using a bag was perhaps the most amusing part of it
the was awesome.
I’ve seen him in Stanley Park before! It’s weird how they call it “off grid” but with other people they call it homelessness.
The pc way to say it is "unhoused" now like that makes a difference lol
homelessnes people arent this resourceful
@@NightimeInDeepSpace Changing the words used is sinister and makes a HUGE difference in re-framing the message/argument/agenda. In this case, home and housing are two very different things. A "home" also means family/stability/self-respect/love where as a "house" is any physical structure...including shipping containers. When you call the problem a "housing" issue, you can keep throwing taxpayer money at a problem that can never be solved. Money will not solve the underlining issues in society when we ignore the true causes....drugs, mental illness, despair, loneliness and the lose of family and community just to scratch the surface. It's the "Poverty Industrial Complex." Why do you think the problem is getting worst despite the fact that we are spending record amounts of money?
@@benbateman3393 more like ppk with addictions are not this resorcefull 34 yrs i dont beleave
Great!! Now when people come up and ask me "Are you homeless?" I can reply "No....I'm off grid!"
Now the whole world knows he was there.
He seams very happy and content..... He's rich in his own way...
Touching story. I am surprised that the city allowed him to live there for this long. Wishing him the best.
It's Canada. They are kinder.
He's also the only homeless person you'll see with a gold wrist chain.
Surprised he hasn't been forced into the Ghetto that is the Downtown East Side.
@@cynhanrahan4012Nah You must not be from Canada and just speaking false facts. Canada hates their homeless population and do nothing to help them.
20+ years off grid. Started with a tiny camper. Built a small cabin for $2000. Off grid solar. You don't need much money to live and I retired at 49. You can do it!
Retired at 45, from Hamilton, sold my house, and bought 25 A of forest with no road for 65k, building a tiny house with lumber i cut, stone i split, never worked so hard in my life, never felt so content.
@@larryscarr3897 Right on Larry!
@@solarcabin that's my guest cabin in the profile picture.. my sister stole it and stays there all the time.. there's a vid of it being built, on my channel.. What do you do for water? Do you keep livestock? Have you had any bylaw issues?
A true survivalist. Walking the walk, not talking the talk!!
Wow! And all this time, I thought wild Canadian geese were a protected species.
Nah Those nasty things are quite tasty when cooked properly.
no there is lots of them too many, they are a readily available protein source.
"Off-grid." That's hilarious! It's just an alternative lifestyle, he's fine!
Oh so that's why we're hearing about the story now. That must be a heartbreaking realization to know that he's leaving the piece of nature he's called 'home' for over 30 years. I was worried that this story would have put him in danger, but I guess he's come to accept the reality of life. Hope the next chapter in his life is just as fulfilling.
Stanley Park is "nature"? Every time I've been there it's nothing but yuppies and junkies.
@@vovin8132 He's in the more forested area of Stanley based on the shots around his tent. The people you're describing are more in the public access areas. So the "nature" part still stands.
@@TheTrailburner There is no forest in Stanley Park. Source: I'm from the Interior and actually lived in actual forests.
@@vovin8132 There are actually. Just not accessible to the public. Look at the satellite images on google maps.
I wish someone would make a documentary on this man. He's fascinating.
..I've lived in tents, summer and winter...sometimes for months at a time...we called it being out PROSPECTING.
Props to him for not begging on the streets.
Your never alone in Stanley Park!
*you're
@@matturner6890 who cares we know what it means
My brother and I were vacationing in the Bahamas that year ‐ "Goombay Summer" . The year the Bahamas gained their independence from Britain. Turks and Caikos were talked about joinimg Canada, they would acquire all the social structures already established in Canada like healthcare etc, and Canadians would have a warm province. Most Bahamians were very keen on the idea, seemed to be in agreement , there was such a beneficial relationship between Canada and Bahamas. À Member of Parliament proposed a bill in parluament in 1974, the year the Bahamas parted ways with. BRritain, "Goombay Summer". Every Canadian we met in Bahamas thought it was a good idea, and most Bahamians also. Yes it was (and still is) well received by Canadians. Turks and Caicos were just a few tiny islands, part of the Bahamas, still members of the British Commonwealth but not any longer a British colony. Thank you for bringing up the subject, Tyler, brought back happy memories of a great vacation, many friends we made there. One of the first people we met there was a girl from Toronto who came for a holiday and had never gone back to Canada.
Why is his stay coming to an end ?no details?
From what I gleaned, it is because of his health and age.
He plans to sell his gold bracelet and go back to being homed.
Part 1 said it was due to trees being removed so lack of places to hide.
He seams very comfortable.
Must be the witness many are looking for!
His house has just been listed. 4.82 million.
Please don’t suffocate any more ducks..🦆
Beautiful soul
Incredible.
I remember reading the Stanley Park novel many years ago and honestly that was the first time I thought about there being many people living in the park, and I remember the part about catching Canada Geese to eat. I imagine the author, Taylor, met Chris and others. Camping in there is something I have imagined but I'm sure I would get caught and someone would ask me to move on immediately. I'd be too nervous to do it. The chickadees are lovely. But surprised there are begging racoons. I hope Chris finds somewhere nice to live.
This is a beautiful reporting! Thank you for sharing this with us!!
Umm - i would give anything for a pc of free land in the woods to set up a free home.
Then get a gov't cheque in the end. Making more than most working.
Russia had a program that gave free land for its citizens to develop and homestead in, in fact Russia pays you to have children, stark contrast to Chinada
You and many others
You should move to Russia! It’s apparently freaking amazing. No toilets to worry about cleaning. No annoying political thinking to worry about. Just obey your kremlin overlords and you will live a happy happy happy happy happy happy 😃 😃😃😃😃 😃😃😃😃 😃😃😃😃 😃😃😃😃
@@bobsmithers Duh, it's the Old Age Security/ Pension he's receiving! I don't call $600 a month more than most working! Hey, if immigrants can come to Canada, never work a day in Canada and still collect $600 a month in OAS, then why shouldn't someone who is a Natural Born Citizen receive it?
Why does he have to pay $1000 hospital bill? Isn't this covered by the government?
He's not Canadian
We the taxpayer has to "pay" for it...government has no money, it takes all its money from the citizens and redistributes it....or just launders it.
@@briankroger7879 really? so he is an undocumented alien as well?
@@briankroger7879. Yes he is, some treatments cost money..
Wonderful; now crazy old bums are heroes!
😊A beautiful life!😊
a man illegally lives in public park, gets a hero's news story while others' sites get demolished, thrown in the garbage. Lots of different standards. Vehicle dwellers for instance, are hated or revered by the same media. Get a grip.
I thought it was illegal to live in parks you don’t own?
Real man
All of us would like to live free off the land and through hand outs, but we can't if we did there would be about 20 million less of us.
Living a consumerist life and dreaming only of profit and substantial gains, this man made us ashamed of our greed and carelessness.
Not really. I’d think a full grown man might be a little ashamed to partake of the luxuries afforded by hardworking, tax paying individuals, that he never contributed to.
How about no one is shamed? The guy isn't hurting anyone. You guys are so dramatic
@@DAMfoxygrampa I wasn’t trying to be dramatic. My opinion is certainly unimportant, and not meant to be offensive or hurtful. Just offering another view..
@@jacquidawn1. He’s as entitled as any other citizen, he gets the lowest amount for a pension. Even less than welfare, and we know there are loads of people getting the benefits of a working society..without paying into it! He didn’t ask for it, it was given to him..what can he do with 600 dollars a month but to live outdoors?? I certainly don’t begrudge him at all, good luck to him. 🙏
@@Eliteswanteverything No one asks for less than ideal living conditions. I don’t begrudge anyone either. I feel a duty to contribute to the social services and infrastructure that our society requires for the standard of living we are privileged to enjoy. I also feel responsible for keeping my surroundings neat and tidy so as not to subject other people to an unsightly mess. Some people don’t feel the need to contribute. I personally wouldn’t feel very good about myself if at the end of my life I wasn’t able to say I gave more than I took. He’s absolutely entitled to be however he wants. I wouldn’t want to live somewhere where that was the standard tho.
Bikes can be used like a pack horse 🐴
City geese can be caught with a little grain
He divulged that he made $300/yr. Canada revenue is coming after him for back taxes.
Easy to live "off grid" when you're in a city.
Off the grid?? LMAO! Living off the grid is up north in a colder climate out in the bush. Nice dramatic reporting global!!
Off the grid simply means not connected to electrical lines or other utilities.
this is what a free man should be . others are slaves of capitalism
Freedom is another word for nothing left to loose
It's weird that I'm jealous of this dude, right?
This is just normal living in so much of the world but it’s interesting and “off grid” when it’s done in the West 😂
Cop "hes thriving" ... Are you joking? .. hes turned a public park in a dump
He was “making 600 per month”.. The news sure has a way of twisting things.. He was “given” 600 per month.. He was actually better off before.. 🤦♂️
“Off grid” in a booming city.. 🤦♂️
With supplies and garbage.. living in a mess.. reliant on the “grid”.. Great twist 🤦♂️
You should post some more replies to your own replies.
🤦♂️
it's the Old Age Security/ Pension he's receiving! Every Citizen receives it whether you worked or never worked a day in your life.
Good guy, Geoff!
What a nice intelligent man. I hope he gets a home if he wants one.
We're does he get $$ for his eye glasses and a way to send e mails
Next week there will be an encampment, then he will be looking for a new place.
Illegal being encouraged that is the fact.The police should be punished.He knew it for so long without report him or did anything about it. Ridiculous!
Excellent story.
This guy is going to wish he never got interviewed , now CRA is coming for him !
For what??
Killing geese is a criminal offence!
Hunger doesn't have no rules whatsoever.
Gotta eat. It is what will keep Canadiens alive with Trudy in power.
And you eating cows, pigs, chicken and consuming any other animal product somehow isn't? Grow up, we all eat meat all he does it take animals who have had a chance to live naturally.
Because we have such a shortage of geese in Vancouver....
They can be hunted in season like most of the other animals around
I thought healthcare was free in Canada
So how did he survive? Where does he get his food from? Does he shower? How does he charge his phone? Do you job and investigate!!!
Why is the news celebrating hobo encampments as a fun lifestyle
Because it's better than the crap lives many live.
To get people to watch and to bring in ad revenue? Just a guess.
I'd do it, especially 25 years ago
Could you describe the “fun lifestyle” we’re all trying to obtain?
Best line of both episodes: "I figured the guy was eligible for sainthood myself." Wow. Quite the journey. Imagine living on $300 year! $6.25/week.
So first minute and a half he’s not living without help from the grid. He literally buys groceries while saying he’s self sufficient of the system? All the things he has are remnants of the system. It’s crazy the lengths people will go to to convince themselves they’re successful or right.
He's more off grid than the rest of us. He has a really cool story
Amazing life he lives. He called the nicest view of stanley park home for 27 years. He forged his own peace in the midst of all the chaos around that park
I suspect he's American. His accent is not Canadian.
That is actually true! He was originally from the upper-midwest U.S. and his family moved/immigrated to Toronto where he worked in various office jobs for a number of years before moving to Vancouver and ended up wanting to enjoy nature and not stay as the typical office drone but still wanting the nearby city life for his basic needs. Ergo, he picked Stanley Park as his artistic hideout! Unfortunately, he is now in his late 70's and age and weather have taken a big physical toll so he is being put into social housing where some his needs can be met. It won't be the best of ending because where is being sent to will be overcrowded and full of mostly the demented and deranged (seen it up close and so I KNOW of what I speak!) so I hope he will be able to survive the coming storm of old-age! I give him 3 to 5 years of life left tops if he goes into lower mainland elderly social housing! It ain't pretty! V
So the United States 🇺🇸 should be supporting him
He’s screwed now. Government knows and criminals who now know he wears gold
And?
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This man's life is an expression of art. Geoff is a saint.
Many homeless people in Canada 🇨🇦 are richer than the middle class in China. - Some homeless people are not poor. They just want a life with freedom.
Don't they all get the same pay?
If you are right, then many homeless people in Canada are richer then nearly all middle class in Canada.
@@ablam8 Is that why China still ranked 99th in the world on GDP per capita? And has the world highest debt at 300% of its GDP?
Sucks to suck.
Saved a ton on rent money
Poor guy self motivated 😀
Dude has enough gold on his wrist to buy a cheap vehicle
Could be plated
Ya because unlike young punks?. Older ppl know the value in gold rather than Amazon crap 💩 cheers 🥂
@@jodyguerard2232 my daily wear is a 150 gram 18k curb chain with a 2ozt JM bar pendant .. you probably stack silver
Crab Park Residents, come on down. You're the next contestants of the Stanley Park Free living sites.
Too far from the drug source at Main and Hastings.
@@mattchancey3202 The NDP will build a safe injection site at Stanley Park if there are enough campers 😂
@@robocop581 💯
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Anyone catch his insta? He’s so talented!
so basically this guy put nothing back into society and when he needs health care it will be almost 100% a freebie.
Liberal/NDP/conservative solution to the housing crisis...
He shouldn't have told the police, now he's going to get booted out of his place.
@ 1.12 The lady (VPD Mounted Unit) is reminiscing : "I think at one point I got him a pair of shoes" so they've obvs known for some time that he's there.
bubbles
Everyone knew, they used to feed him.
He owes that 600 for carbon tax.
this story tell me that it doesn't matter what you upbringing or socioeconomic situation you can end up on the street.ppl you are one job loss health issue and you living the Canadian dream.
He'll be teaching us a few tricks soon when money is worth cardboard
Yah now show us the mess he's making
This is a liberal / ndp voters guide to survival. Vote them in next federal election and this will be all of us.
worst cope ever
There are so many boring people - boring in their own unique way...
Ducks are good to eat, I dont know about pork through, too close to human DNA… they have blue eyes, many things! It has to have a divided hoof AND chew the cud
So not a BLT man?
The Canadian Dream
He's american's residences, from united, states, also life's had changes, also did well then, but thought provinces, canada, would be better solutions, he's thought all this times, also he's was mistaken run sames situational there's others places. So ran aways from somethings but maybe or just started new life's, some where else now stanley its... now homelessness, refugees no where's american's, living n... no where's landscaped, i did'nt listened too artisited songs made this up, i knew all m...lifes if i decided too moved some where's others placement but i could'nt becuz... i don't have's any things too showed thats no skilled and higher knowledges, needed both these infor... too gets n... those 🚪 🚪 🚪 doors, i knew all m... lifes i did'nt achieved so i says too m... self i thought all this times i remained here's, i did advertures visited fews places, what's i saw sames situational. Poorer individ... homelessness, drug addicited too. Depressed animals, depressed residency, canadians, i visited south americas, too sames situational too days i depressed hungry also spending cashed currencies, peso dolars,
I envy him. Kind of sucks the trolls are gonna go get him now.
So this guy CHOOSES to live in the woods for over 30 years and now our tax dollars are giving him $600 a month and a pension while he still chooses to live in the woods… Ok.
I am poorer than him, shud prolly put up my tent there & eat geese, sounds amazing honestly.
Normalize local co-ops and lⒶbour unions. Workers make the world run, workers should run the world.🌎🇺🇸🇨🇦
Sounds like a poaching squatter
Wow. I m surprised more people dont live in that forest. May he experience the Creator of that forest , Jesus Christ, and kniw His love and salvation and be ready for Heaven.
This man still enjoys in his country: - good air and water, - voting, - transparency, - freedom of speech, - freedom of press, and - free good healthcare. The Chinese 🇨🇳 have none of those things.
Your delusional our health care is far from free and is one of the worst in the world
What are you talking about? FREE FREE FREE? Do you not pay taxes? Did many previous generations not gave up their lives for democracy and the freedoms you mention? GG talk about naive as NOTHING is free.
Justin T is worse PM
This guys prob loaded with cash😂
Worst country in the world...fully operated by corporates make policies for corporate...citizens should wake-up...why insurance policies are so costly...why there are not sufficient doctors, hospitals...
In Amsterdam it’s illegal to sleep rough. They can choose between going to a shelter or jail. Most go to the shelter where they get plugged in to social service supports, including meds for paranoid schizophrenia, which this fella in Stanley Park likely has (he’s not the only one). Once plugged into the safety net meds, housing , therapy etc all come along. Living in a tent, without running water and a toilet for 27 years is unacceptable.
Well, that's what the NDP wants. They will never shell out any amount of $$$ for meds, housing , therapy etc, take a look at the DTES and now you can do your drugs anywhere and anytime in BC, plus the gov is peddling the dope to addicts under the safe drug supply -BC is the laughing stock of the world right now!
Someone tell Justin Trudeau this guy not paying any taxes
This guy is full of crap