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

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.

Related Topics:#CityOfEdmonton #EdmontonPoliceService #HomelessEncampment feature

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Alberta

Alberta introduces bill allowing province to reject international agreements

Published on October 25, 2025

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Under the proposed law, international treaties or accords signed by the federal government would not apply in Alberta unless approved through its own legislation.

Alberta’s Conservative government introduced a new law to protect “constitutional rights” that would allow it to essentially ignore International Agreements, including those by the World Health Organization (WHO), signed by the federal Liberal government.

The new law, Bill 1, titled International Agreements Act and introduced Thursday, according to the government, “draws a clear line: international agreements that touch on provincial areas of jurisdiction must be debated and passed into law in Alberta.”

Should the law pass, which is all but certain as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s Conservatives hold a majority government, it would mean that any international treaties or accords signed by the federal government would not apply in Alberta unless approved through its own legislation.

“As we return to the legislature, our government is focused on delivering on the mandate Albertans gave us in 2023 to stand up for this province, protect our freedoms and chart our path forward,” Smith said.

“We will defend our constitutional rights, protect our province’s interests and make sure decisions that affect Albertans are made by Albertans. The federal government stands at a crossroads. Work with us, and we’ll get things done. Overstep, and Alberta will stand its ground.”

According to the Alberta government, while the feds have the “power to enter into international agreements on behalf of Canada,” it “does not” have the “legal authority to impose its terms on provinces.”

“The International Agreements Act reinforces that principle, ensuring Alberta is not bound by obligations negotiated in Ottawa that do not align with provincial priorities,” the province said.

The new Alberta law is not without precedent. In 2000, the province of Quebec passed a similar law, allowing it to ignore international agreements unless approved by local legislators.

Alberta

Premier Smith moves to protect Alberta in International Agreements

Published on October 23, 2025

Government of Alberta

Protecting Alberta’s jurisdiction

The International Agreements Act ensures Alberta’s jurisdiction is protected and decisions that shape our future are made right here at home.

This legislation draws a clear line: international agreements that touch on provincial areas of jurisdiction must be debated and passed into law in Alberta.

Alberta, not Ottawa, will decide how international agreements that affect provincial matters apply in the province.

“As we return to the legislature, our government is focused on delivering on the mandate Albertans gave us in 2023 to stand up for this province, protect our freedoms and chart our path forward. We will defend our constitutional rights, protect our province’s interests and make sure decisions that affect Albertans are made by Albertans. The federal government stands at a crossroads. Work with us, and we’ll get things done. Overstep, and Alberta will stand its ground.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

While the federal government has the power to enter into international agreements on behalf of Canada, it does not have the legal authority to impose its terms on provinces. The International Agreements Act reinforces that principle, ensuring Alberta is not bound by obligations negotiated in Ottawa that do not align with provincial priorities.

Bill 1 was introduced by Premier Danielle Smith following the fall 2025 speech from the throne as part of Alberta’s commitment to defend its sovereignty within a united Canada.

Key facts

If passed, the International Agreements Act will replace the International Trade and Investment Agreements Act.
The new legislation would expand its scope beyond trade and investment to include all areas of provincial jurisdiction.
Currently, there is no formal agreement or requirement for the federal government to consult provinces when negotiating international treaties.
Quebec’s Act respecting the exercise of the fundamental rights and prerogatives of the Québec people and the Québec State came into force in 2000.
- International agreements do not apply in Quebec unless approved by the national assembly or the provincial government.
- Quebec must give clear consent before any international agreement takes effect.