Statement on Edmonton Encampment Closures
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Police Service (“EPS”) made a sudden announcement on December 15th, 2023, to forcibly close approximately 135 encampments, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk for harm (Bissell Centre, 2023). The decision to displace multiple encampments was made despite the existence of a pre-established injunction date, scheduled for January 11, 2024, since the beginning of November (Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, et al. 2023). The result of the emergency injunction hearing declared orders specific to the 8 encampments, including re-issuing of encampment closure notices; these terms must be followed until the next injunction, set to take place on January 10 & 11, 2024 (Nanda, 2023).
The proposed large-scale de-location was described by EPS as a method to address issues such as crime, fires, and deaths within encampments (Jamin, M., 2023). This approach lacks justification as it fails to provide adequate solutions for the ongoing housing crisis and does not ensure the availability of shelter spaces that support harm reduction strategies or promote cultural safety (Key Facts, CJHR, 2023).
In 2023 alone, there have been more than 1500 encampments displacements, displacing individuals without providing adequate alternative shelter arrangements. The proposed encampment closures have been determined to leave approximately 300-400 people exposed to the elements, and of particular concern is the EPS's request for no outreach groups or supportive services to be present during the time of the planned closures (Mertz, 2023). These de-locations often leave social service providers unable to locate clientele, which can negatively impact community members' efforts to overcome houselessness.
Houselessness has rapidly risen in Edmonton over the past three years. In August 2020, 1,571 people were unhoused (Smith, 2022), compared with 2,519 in 2022 (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, n.d.), 3,014 in May 2023 (Homeward Trust, n.d.), and approximately 3,000 in November 2023 (Parsons, 2023).
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (n.d.) cites: (1) “structural factors”; (2) “poverty”; (3) “housing”; (4) “system failures”; (5) “personal circumstances and relational problems” (i.e., trauma, mental illness, physical illness, disability, etc.); and (6) “domestic violence” as the six main causes of homelessness. All these can be considered as negative outcomes of harmful policy decisions.
Encampments offer safety and stability to people living with houselessness (MacDonald, 2021) and there are a multitude of reasons some avoid shelters. Many Indigenous community members choose not to access shelters due to lack of cultural safety or inclusion. With over 58% of houseless folks in Edmonton identifying as Indigenous, these neocolonial policies mirror colonial legacies that further exacerbate socio-economic issues (Chateau, 2022).
Clearing out encampments does not solve the houseless issues; it creates chaos and harms the health of displaced persons. Chang, et al. (2022) found that these practices result in: (1) loss of “health resources and necessities”; (2) movement into “hazardous, isolated, less visible spaces”; (3) “negative encounters” with police; and (4) “reluctance to seek or accept formal forms of support and protection”. These approaches not only breach the Charter of Rights and Freedoms but also undermine their fundamental human rights (Nanda & Company, 2023).
Taking a rights-based approach to homelessness, Flyn, et al. (2022) made the following recommendations in their report for the Canadian Human Rights Commission:
“De-Centre Policing and Law Enforcement”
Clarify and fund “Municipal Governance & Interjurisdictional Responsibilities”
“Ensure the Meaningful Participation of Encampment Residents”
“Recognize the Distinct Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
“Address the Conditions within Encampments and Provide Basic Services”
The Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA) opposes forcible closures of encampments, particularly where there are more unhoused community members than available shelter beds. It is incumbent upon us to advocate with compassion for the dignity and autonomy of unhoused folks, and to utilize evidence-based practices. As we continue to establish as an association, we are guided by the Code of Ethics, Values and Guiding Principles set forth by the Canadian Association of Social Workers to provide direction to social workers when “judiciously considering an ethical concern or a dilemma (CASW, n.d).”
We call upon the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Services, the provincial government, and all Alberta municipalities to cease encampment closures and to divert focus to the prevention of poverty, increased funding for social services, and to ensure there are adequate shelters in place that will meet the immediate needs of unhoused Edmontonians.
We encourage social workers to encourage Edmonton Councilors, Police and MLAs to introduce policies and funding to reduce poverty and put an end to houselessness.
Take Action:
Contact Edmonton City Councilors: edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/city-councillors
Write to Edmonton City Council: win.newmode.net/coalitionforjusticeandhumanrights/stopthemassdisplacement
Write to Edmonton Police Commission: edmontonpolicecommission.com/complaints/complaint-form
Contact Alberta MLAs: assembly.ab.ca/members/members-of-the-legislative-assembly
Signed:
The Executive Director, President, and Vice-President of The Social Workers Association of Alberta
References:
Bissell Centre. (2023). linkedin.com/posts/bissell-centre_eps-has-announced-a-campaign-to-clear-out-activity-7141596494704328704-QrPa. Bissell Centre.
Coalition of Justice and Human Rights; Nanda & Company; Engel Law. (2023). nandalaw.ca/s/2023-11-02-Media-Release.pdf Nanda Law.
Nanda, A. (2023). Injunction Order. x.com/avnishnanda/status/1737616781815300158?s=20.
Jamin, M. (2023). 8 high-risk Edmonton homeless encampments can be cleared – under certain conditions. City News Edmonton.
Engel Law Office. (2023). Key Facts - Coalition for Justice and Human Rights Ltd. v City of Edmonton. (2023). Retrieved from nandalaw.ca/s/2023-08-31-Encampment-legal-action-Key-Facts-Brief.pdf
Mertz, E. (2023). Emergency injunction granted to stop large encampment eviction in Edmonton. Global News Edmonton.
Smith, K. (2022). Edmonton seeing 25% increase in encampment complaints over last year. Global News.
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (n.d.). Community Profiles: Edmonton. The Homeless Hub.
Homeward Trust. (n.d.). Homeward Trust Edmonton.
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (n.d.). Causes Of Homelessness. The Homeless Hub.
MacDonald, S. (2021). Home is Where the Heart is: Homeless Encampments as a Temporary Solution to the Housing Crisis. The Homeless Hub.
Chateau, C. (2022). Homelessness is a trauma response to colonization, why does that matter? - Aging in the Right Place (AIRP). Simon Fraser University.
Chang, J. S., Riley, P. B., Aguirre, R. J., Lin, K., Corwin, M., Nelson, N., & Rodriguez, M. (2022). Harms of encampment abatements on the health of unhoused people. SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 2, 100064. doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100064
Nanda & Company. (2023). Encampment Lawsuit. https://www.nandalaw.ca/encampments
Flynn, A., Hermer, J., Leblanc, C., MacDonald, S-A., Schwan, K., Van Wagner, E. (2022). Overview of Encampments Across Canada—Executive Summary. The Office of the Federal Housing Advocate.
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (n.d). Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice. Canadian Association of Social Workers.