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City of Edmonton

City of Edmonton launches emergency response to deal with extreme heat

Published

3 years ago

3 minute read

News Release from The City of Edmonton

Extreme weather response activated
The City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response to keep vulnerable people safe during the hot weather expected in the coming days.
The extreme weather response will include the following measures:
  • Peace Officers will carry water bottles for distribution to vulnerable people that they meet.
  • Anyone needing a break from the heat may go to an open City facility. Provincial health regulations are still in place and access cannot be guaranteed due to capacity limits, but the following spaces have planned to offer access and bottled water:
  • Kinsmen Sports Centre
  • Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre
  • Clareview Community Recreation Centre
  • Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre
  • The Meadows Community Recreation Centre
  • The Orange Hub
  • Mill Woods Recreation Centre
  • Some facilities do not have enough indoor space to accommodate people inside, but have still planned to provide bottled water. These include:
  • Fred Broadstock pool
  • Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool
  • Oliver outdoor pool
  • Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre
  • Muttart Conservatory
  • Edmonton Valley Zoo
  • Jasper Place Leisure Centre (starting June 26)
Work is underway to create more free water options throughout the summer for vulnerable groups. Activation of River Valley park fountains has been started. In addition, this summer the City will be launching a pilot project to adapt five fire hydrants into water stations to provide access to free potable water. Locations are still being determined and the water stations are expected to be available in late July.
What You Can Do To Help
Extreme heat can be dangerous. Everyone should drink plenty of water even before feeling thirsty, and stay in a cool place. It is important to watch for symptoms of heat illness:
  • dizziness/fainting
  • nausea/vomiting
  • rapid breathing and heartbeat
  • extreme thirst
  • decreased urination with unusually dark urine
  • lack of sweat
  • confusion
  • fainting
  • unconsciousness
Check on older family, friends and neighbours. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place.
If you are concerned about someone outside in the extreme heat, you can help:
  • Call 211 and press 3 for the 24/7 Crisis Diversion team. They can assist with individuals who may be in distress and can provide transportation to social service agencies.
  • Call 911 in cases of emergency
Sector Emergency Response
The City activated its extreme weather response after consultation with partners in the Sector Emergency Response, a collaboration between the City, Homeward Trust and more than 25 other agencies working together to ensure Edmonton’s most vulnerable people are safe during adverse weather conditions. Environment Canada’s weather forecast was also taken into consideration.
The extreme weather response may remain in effect until after Canada Day.

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Alberta

Province forms Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee in response to homeless encampment crisis

Published on January 12, 2024

By

Edmonton encampments: Deputy Premier Ellis

Deputy Premier Mike Ellis issued the below statement in response to Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi’s announcement of his intention to declare an emergency:

“In November, Premier Danielle Smith ordered that an emergency cabinet committee be created and convened in response to the issue of crime and gang-related activity within encampments across the City of Edmonton.

“Alberta’s government cares deeply about vulnerable Edmontonians and we will always ensure that anyone who wants shelter and supportive services will receive it. However, we will not stand by and watch as vulnerable Albertans and the general public continue to be extorted, taken advantage of and killed by gangsters and deadly drugs.

“The Edmonton Public Safety Cabinet Committee (EPSCC) is comprised of ministers from departments that oversee operations and/or administer programs that promote public safety and support the transition of Edmonton-based encampment residents into safe, secure and appropriate arrangements.

“The cabinet committee membership includes:

  • Danielle Smith, Premier (chair)
  • Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice
  • Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
  • Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
  • Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs
  • Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
  • Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
  • Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction
  • Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations

“Also sworn into the committee are:

  • Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
  • Dale McPhee, Chief, Edmonton Police Service

“This committee has met continuously since its initial meeting on Nov. 29, 2023, to plan a joint response. Our government is working on an action plan alongside Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Police Service, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and several departments from the City of Edmonton, including Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

“Our government will continue to respond to these issues following the expected court decision on Jan. 16, no matter the outcome. We will have a more detailed statement regarding this response once the court decision is made.”

Additional quotes

“It is dangerous for the mayor and others to continue to suggest that vulnerable Albertans do not have anywhere to turn. This is false and will lead to more folks choosing not to seek out shelter because they fear they’ll be turned away. I have said before and will continue to say: there is safe space in shelters around the city and nobody will be turned away. We have more than enough room for every homeless person in the city of Edmonton to have a warm, safe place to stay. It is completely inappropriate and dangerous for the mayor, or anyone, to suggest Edmonton is out of capacity in our social services sector or our emergency shelter systems. Anyone needing shelter space will be kept care of.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

“I have been working and will continue to work diligently alongside the provincial government, in the spirit of reconciliation, for months on the serious action that is needed to get all people off the streets, including First Nations people. Encampments are not a safe place and letting people overdose and freeze in the cold is not reconciliation.”

Cody Thomas, Grand Chief, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations 

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Alberta

City of Edmonton shuts down eighth homeless encampment after insuring space for occupants in warm shelters

Published on January 10, 2024

By

New release from the City of Edmonton

Closure of eighth high-risk encampment proceeds; court deliberations about future response activity continue
Additional requirements will continue to apply to the City’s response to eight high-risk homeless encampments while the Court considers questions of rights and public safety.
Court Hearing
Today, Justice Martin extended the conditions of the interim interim injunction to Tuesday, January 16. In addition to the City’s existing protocols, the Order requires the City to include the following considerations as part of its assessment and decision making process for eight high-risk encampment closures:
  • Before clearing the encampments, City and/or the Edmonton Police Service will make sure there is sufficient shelter space or other indoor space;
  • If there is not enough space, officers will close only if a danger to public health and safety;
  • City will consider the cold weather in decision making;
  • City will advise agencies at earliest convenience about closure;
  • Order does not impact ongoing wellness checks by City staff or fire services;
  • 48 hour notice will be given again to residents; and
  • Notice to include reason, date
Deliberations at today’s court hearing involved reviewing legal matters about representation and standing in the courts and whether particular evidence should be allowed.
Court deliberations continue on January 11 and January 16.
High-risk encampment closure at 95th Street and 101A Avenue
The scheduled closure and cleaning of a high-risk encampment in the vicinity of 95th Street and 101A Avenue resumed today. This is the last of eight sites subject to the conditions of the interim Order and the closure was in full compliance with the City’s obligations, including providing advance notice to social agencies.
An encampment may be assessed as high risk where there is a serious risk of injury or death due to fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, drug use, gang violence, physical violence including weapons, public health and/or sanitation risks, environmental degradation and/or criminal activity. It is also assessed based on its proximity to local amenities including schools and playgrounds, the number of people and structures in the encampment, if the location has previously been an encampment site and how long it has been in place.
This encampment meets several of these criteria and was the site of a serious sexual assault on December 16, 2023.
The extremely cold weather increases the already high risk of injury and death due to fire. In 2023, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 135 fires in encampments resulting in 22 injuries and three fatalities. In the last week two fires have led to injuries and one propane tank has exploded at encampment sites.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services reminds Edmontonians that open flames or heating elements situated too close to combustibles can start fires. With regard to propane tanks:
  • Propane cylinders should not be exposed to open flames.
  • Leaking cylinders can easily ignite and heated cylinders can explode.
Encampment Closure Facts – as of  4:00 p.m. Wednesday
Prior to today’s closure and cleanup, the City received confirmation from the Government of Alberta that there is sufficient shelter capacity for any individuals leaving the site who wish to access shelters. With the activation of the City’s extreme weather response this week, 50 shelter spaces at the Al Rashid Mosque were added. Additionally, 49 spaces opened at NiGiNan’s Pimatisiwin site (former Sands Hotel) and Enoch opened 10 additional spaces at the former Coliseum Inn site.
City crews will continue to clean the site as the day progresses. As a result, some of the information provided below is subject to change:
  • Encampment location – in the vicinity of 95th Street and 101A Avenue
  • Number of structures – 7
  • Number of occupants -5
  • Instances of medical aid provided -0
  • Arrests – 3 people were arrested and charges are pending by EPS
  • Tickets Issued – 0
  • Warrants executed – 0
  • Cleaning data
  • Truckloads/ kg waste removed – 21 truckloads (roughly 2,000 kg)
  • Needles – tbd
  • Shopping Carts – 7
  • Propane tanks – 31
  • The REACH 24/7 Crisis Diversion Teams were on site to provide transport and support as needed.
  • Today, as with other days, we considered the weather conditions in our decision. The increased risk of frostbite, hypothermia and injury from fire were important factors in the decision to proceed with action.
  • The extreme weather protocol activates enhanced supports for vulnerable Edmontonians including additional 50 shelter spaces at the Al Rashid Mosque.
  • Even with available shelter space, some Edmontonians experiencing homelessness may sometimes choose not to go to shelters.
Future Closures
Today’s closure is the last of the eight high-risk sites subject to the Order. The City continues to receive encampment complaints, and will continue to assess the risk of encampment sites as they are identified.
This is all the information the City is able to provide at this time.
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