Joint Statement on EXPO Closure

For Immediate Release

1 August 2020

Due to a lack of adequate housing in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta), the problems related to the closure of the EXPO Centre temporary shelter facilities and lack of contingency plans being in place to support this transition is resulting in those living in poverty having their right to life, liberty and personal security denied.

We would like to remind you that Edmonton has committed to:

  • Being a Human Rights City as articulated in the EndPovertyEdmonton roadmap, where rights of all are upheld and where all belong, participate and are included;

  • Efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through the City Plan and ConnectEdmonton;

  • The Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness to ensure that everyone has a place to call home with the supports they need to maintain it;

  • A Violence Reduction Plan via collaboration between REACH Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service;

  • The Affordable Housing Strategy to ensure there are housing options for all Edmontonians; and,

  • Engagement of newcomer, immigrant and refugee communities through the Edmonton Local Immigrant Partnership.

We believe that all in this city should have safe, accessible and affordable housing. Without such, one remains stuck in a cycle of poverty, violence and illness. 

While we recognize the temporary EXPO Centre was established to respond to COVID19 needs, it’s closure on Friday July 31st is going to have severe impacts on the city.  Our concern is that there will be increased loss of life, violence, abuse, and social tension.   The EXPO Centre provided a much needed opportunity to build a space with a comprehensive suite of services accessible to people. 

This will no doubt put added stress on the Edmonton Police Service to respond to complex cases and will require collaboration and resources to support community based approaches. We need to be vigilant in ensuring that the burden of COVID19, poverty, and trauma in the community do not lead to the increasing criminalization of the most vulnerable. This does not mean that additional funding be directed to policing but to localized community based efforts that provide appropriate and culturally relevant support. It also means that mandatory requirements, such as masks, do not burden the homeless community and that we have an obligation to provide masks, not to issue fines. There needs to be understanding that a fine based culture only serves to deepen the criminalization of poverty and increases social tension.

Thus, we as a collective are calling for immediate action for:

  • the City of Edmonton and Government of Alberta to support the joint proposal for the day shelter in front of the Relaunch Committee and get this effort in motion swiftly. We ask for a long term commitment for this day shelter and other day/night shelters but also a commitment of those agencies involved to work collaboratively with grassroots community to ensure accessibility for all.

  • Mandated and funded community agencies must reach out and provide direct support and contributions to community based efforts, such as street outreach, camps, and grassroots groups to connect to vulnerable community members directly and ensure basic needs are met. They will seek to work in the spirit of partnership and friendship.

  • Immediate resource mobilization to non-profit organizations and grassroots community groups who are having to step up to fill the gaps in these government responsibilities in the provision of basic human rights. These agencies and individuals are working in already strained situations and require support and resources in order to maintain their energy and well-being while supporting Edmonton’s most vulnerable.

In addition to our immediate calls to action, we also call for mobilization and action on the following:

  • Preparations put in place for a further public health crisis due to the spread of COVID19 among our homeless community. Alberta Health Services needs to work closely with shelters to determine their protocols and procedures around what they will do and how they will support those who test positive. 

  • Immediate investment into the long term provision of safe and accessible 24/7 shelter services throughout the city to enable people to connect to housing and support services. Not only is the continual and increased mobility of people without housing between services to survive a public health concern, but it does not allow people to focus on anything other than survival.   

  • All levels of government conduct an emergency review of existing surplus spaces and mobilize these for use and transition immediately and without delay. People need access to housing urgently and we must act with an eye to the closing window of warmer weather.

  • Edmonton Transit Services partnership and collaboration to provide mobile accessibility to services and supports as well as temporary housing.

  • Immediate movement to open up existing public toilet, washing, laundry and water fountain facilities.  

  • Post-secondary institutions offer and find ways to make their dormitories available for transitional housing.

  • All larger faith centres work to make their spaces available to provide transitional housing and supports.

  • Immediate provision of masks to people in high traffic areas and transit stations to ensure protection of public health but also accessibility to masks, without criminalization.

  • Immediate cessation and zero tolerance for any police misconduct against those who are homeless including tent slashing or pepper spray. Any instances of misconduct should be heard by a citizen led mechanism.

  • Mobilization of public outreach and education to ensure community members are receiving access to information and communication to support them in accessing the supports and services they need. 

One of the greatest negative outcomes of shifting locations and approaches in service provision is that it creates confusion, anxiety, stress and uncertainty for people who lack housing and other supports. The lack of access to information and education on these changes and shifts makes it even more difficult to navigate for people who are struggling to survive. 

“Many of my clients did not know Expo would be closing soon or that the hours were changing for the last two weeks.  We need to make sure we are recognizing people's dignity by letting people know better what decisions we are making that will affect them.”

  • Provision of education to community members to understand how to support and care for those that are vulnerable in the community. Provide the tools they need to not ghettoize or criminalize people but instead to help support them to connect to supports and services. 

The situation in Edmonton is going to unravel very quickly in terms of safety and public health. We question the decision to move forward with the closing of the EXPO shelter at the expense of potential violence, public health and sanitation, and individual safety and security. The plans are moving in place to relaunch how bars can open and wearing masks in public places, but what about the most vulnerable people in our community?  

We want to stress that the most substantial issue in all of this is the utter lack of affordable and appropriate housing in the city. Until we do a better job dealing with that and addressing the right to adequate housing, these issues affecting our community will never go away and will continue to be an ongoing and increasing drain and burden on public budgets and social well-being. 

Signed:

  • Coalition for Justice and Human Rights

  • John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights

  • Righting Relations Edmonton

  • EndPovertyEdmonton

  • YEG Community Response to COVID19

  • Elizabeth Fry Society

  • Self Advocacy Federation

  • Taccalusa Institute 

  • The House of Justice 

  • Creating Hope Society (added post distribution)

  • Native Counselling Services of Alberta  (added post distribution)











Neximar Alarcon