Homeless encampments at the centre of latest disagreement between Alberta and Ottawa

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ORIGINAL – 5 p.m., Oct. 23

A spat is brewing as the Government of Alberta refutes claims from Ottawa that it declined funding to deal

with homeless encampments.

On Tuesday, federal housing minister Sean Fraser announced that he’d sent a letter to provinces and territories on Sept. 18, asking them to partner with Ottawa to urgently find shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

In the letter, Fraser says there was an offer for everyone to take a cut of $250 million, as announced in Budget 2024.

Fraser goes on to say that Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan have, “not formally responded,” to the offer.

“While some have since entered election periods, there was ample engagement before the letter was sent, and there is no longer time to wait as the weather gets colder,” Fraser said. “In these cases – along with any others who do not take quick action – we are now approaching municipalities directly to work with them, urgently.”

Fraser added that if a province or territory partners with them, they can select communities that will receive funding.

He then noted that his ministry would be approaching Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Regina and Saskatoon, specifically, given their readiness to quickly adopt cost-matched responses.

This flies in the face of Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act (formerly Bill 18), which became law in May 2024.

The act, “supports Alberta’s government in pushing back against overreach by the federal government,” it says on Alberta.ca.

The act also requires provincial entities to obtain prior approval from the provincial government before entering into, amending, extending or renewing an agreement with the federal government.

“The province has not received, nor has the province declined, an offer on encampment funding. It is disappointing to see that the federal government is playing politics with vulnerable Albertans,” Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, responded Wednesday.

“We did receive a letter from federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser that initiated planning for federal encampment funding. However, there was no offer of encampment funding and at no point was a deadline provided to the province to finalize an agreement. Officials have met regularly to discuss the best use of these potential funds, including as recently as Monday, Oct. 21.”

Nixon says that this year alone, Alberta is investing $210 million into homelessness initiatives.

“While Alberta is open to federal partnership on these issues, we are not interested in playing politics with the federal government,” Nixon added. “Alberta will continue investing in this life-changing work, with or without the federal government.”

The Alberta NDP issued a statement earlier Wednesday, calling it outrageous that the UCP would leave money on the table.

“In Edmonton alone, a record number of people — 110 — experienced limb amputation due to frostbite last winter. With a record number of unhoused people in Edmonton following a record number of Albertans dying last year on the streets, it’s critical to use every tool to help address this crisis,” said Janis Irwin, the shadow minister for housing.

“Rural communities are also facing these same issues, and by refusing to work with the federal government, the UCP is leaving these communities without support.”

The subject of encampments is not a new one for the city of Red Deer, for example.

Record levels of homelessness are present in the city, and just a few weeks ago, the municipality conducted its latest Point in Time homeless count.

It was also Sept. 17 when city council agreed to continue with its current approach toward homeless encampments, including:

Consistent mitigation: Maintain the City’s current approach to encampment responses, striving for the most balanced mitigation strategy available to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for shelter strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of transitional housing: Request the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

The office of Red Deer’s mayor declined to comment on the latest chapter of this issue Wednesday, but may offer something in the coming days.

In addition to the $250 million for encampments, Minister Fraser noted that the Liberal government has also invested in the Reaching Home program, the Affordable Housing Fund, the Co-operative Housing Development Program, the Apartment Construction Loan Program, and the Housing Accelerator Fund.

by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Homeless encampments at the centre of latest disagreement between Alberta and Ottawa

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