Friday Focus: Leadership Means Showing Up For Everyone

Winter is fast approaching, and with it, the dangers faced by those living on Alberta’s streets. Our Constitution doesn’t directly address which government has jurisdiction over housing. But it is a local issue, and local issues are provincial jurisdiction, so housing is the responsibility of the province.  Despite this, our provincial government doesn’t seem serious about solving the problem. 

The federal government recently set aside $250 million to help provinces address homelessness and encampments. This funding would support cities in getting people off the streets and into safe housing. Although it took awhileーmuch longer than it should haveーit appears that the UCP government has finally worked out a deal in principle with the federal government, averting a confrontation over funding going directly to cities.  The details have yet to be finalized, however.

The failure to address the issue promptly comes at a time when Alberta is facing some of the sharpest rent increases in the country. Across the province, rents are up more than 10% this year, with Edmonton and smaller cities like Lethbridge experiencing double-digit increases that are squeezing renters and pushing more people into homelessness​.

The longer the province takes to address the problem, the more people are left to suffer in cold streets and overcrowded shelters. It’s inhumane. We would not stand for animals to be treated with such neglect. And it puts an immense strain on our already overburdened health care system, as those living on the streets suffer far more health problems in large part due to their poor living conditions. 

We need a government that works proactively, or at least responds quickly to significant social problems. Homelessness and housing is one of those critical issues. 

Albertans deserve better leadership—one that shows up and takes real action when people’s lives are on the line. We will continue fighting for solutions that put people first and ensure no one is left out in the cold this winter.

Thank you for standing with us and demanding better.