Edmonton activist frustrated with city’s plan to tackle homelessness

Daniel Johnstone, who is widely known as “Can Man Dan” for his annual winter food drive campout, is frustrated with how Edmonton supports the homeless.

He says the problem has only grown in his 15 years of activism, seeing a gap in shelters not working together as an issue.

“I don’t think there’s any unity between any of the bodies. I kind of wander over there, see what’s going on and try to chat with some people, but it’s just kind of everyone’s treating it as a business,” said Johnstone.

“If we’re going to make a serious impact on homelessness, it’s going to take real political help.”

Johnstone wants this to be front and centre in the fall municipal election, noting that Edmonton had a 10-year plan to end homelessness in 2009. That is far from reality.

Meanwhile, homelessness is being discussed at city council on Tuesday. The debate is over whether to limit the number of mats on the grounds allowed in a single shelter space, and looking to limit it to 125 in congregate living.

“The smaller shelters tend to be the more effective, the more safer, the more dignified, and easier to support people in,” said Anne Stevenson, Councillor of Ward O-day’min.

But there are concerns from the administration that this would make it more difficult for shelters to meet the demand of those in need, putting more demand on shelters particularly during emergencies.

The proposal does include the ability for exemptions during emergencies or extreme weather. Councilor Stevenson believes this will improve shelter conditions.

“These organizations who run the shelters are great organizations. They’re working very hard to provide for the needs of Edmontonians, but when you get to a certain scale, it does spill over and impact surrounding residents and businesses,” said Stevenson.

Councillors will vote on the proposal next week. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Community and Social Services opposes the plan, saying it could reduce provincially funded shelters.

“This proposal would significantly reduce access to shelter services, increase prevalence of dangerous encampments, and harm the most vulnerable,” said the Ministry of Community and Social Services in a statement to CityNews.

But for Johnstone, he’s not seeing enough support from any level of government to address the issue.

“People are literally dead on the streets and people just walk by without batting an eyelash. That’s where we’ve come to in society,” said Johnstone.