Province turns to courts to keep man away from West Kelowna offices

Photo: CrimeStoppers

Dylan Anthony Choquette

The provincial government is going to court to keep a repeat offender away from its social services office in West Kelowna.

In a civil lawsuit filed Dec. 29, the B.C. government alleges Dylan Anthony Choquette started creating “substantial safety concerns” for staff on Jan. 6, 2022 at the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction office on Hoskins Road.

The facility distributes income assistance and helps individuals in need of support.

The lawsuit claims Choquette has been blocking the entrance, hitting doors and windows, entering to yell at staff, carrying weapons while nearby and pushing and making physical contact with staff.

He’s been formally banned from the office since May 4, 2022 but has continued to enter the facility and block its entrance, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit is seeking permanent injunction banning Choquette from being within 100 metres of the property and communicating with staff, in addition to other conditions.

“The defendant’s conduct creates substantial safety concerns,” the lawsuit alleges.

“The province and its employees have suffered great discomfort, loss of enjoyment of the use of the West Kelowna office, property damage, and interference in relation to the use, operation and provision of services at the West Kelowna office.”

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court and Choquette has not filed a response.