Edmonton Mayor calls for funding for social services in first meeting with Premier Danielle Smith

In her first meeting with Danielle Smith since she became premier of Alberta nearly five months ago, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi called for more funding for social services.

The mayor, who met with Smith and three cabinet ministers on Tuesday, is asking for more shelter beds, supportive housing and addiction treatment spaces, as well as $100 million for business revitalization areas in downtown Edmonton.

Sohi is also urging the province to improve housing standards for the homeless and develop a plan to release homeless people from correctional facilities and hospitals.

In a letter shared with the prime minister on Tuesday, the mayor’s office says underinvestment in addressing these issues has a human cost and negative effects on businesses.

“There is still much work to do and we call on the Government of Alberta to step up to fulfill its jurisdictional responsibilities,” the letter said.

At a news conference, Sohi said her meeting with the Premier, Municipal Affairs Minister Rebecca Schulz, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Nicholas Milliken and Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jeremy Nixon was scheduled for 30 minutes but lasted an hour.

“I felt we were heard and I’m optimistic they will work with us to make that happen,” he said.

Sohi said some of the province’s recent budget commitments could go toward priorities he’s identified, including funds for affordable housing and mental health initiatives.

He said those priorities were shared with the province before the budget was released last week.

Sohi said more than a dozen organizations, including neighboring municipalities, nonprofits and businesses, sent advocacy letters to the prime minister ahead of the meeting, echoing his concerns. He said the Prime Minister had mentioned receiving some of the letters.

In a letter sent to the premier on Monday, the Coalition of Civic Unions of Edmonton called for more harm reduction services, affordable housing initiatives, shelter spaces and addiction treatment programs.

The coalition represents members from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library, Epcor, Capital Power and other employers.

According to the province’s substance use monitoring website, Edmonton had 18% more drug poisoning deaths than Calgary from January to November 2022. Additionally, Edmonton paramedics responded to approximately twice as many opioid-related calls as their Calgary counterparts last year.

“Our members are seeing the effects, with increased security concerns at light rail stations and libraries, recreation centers and public parks,” the CECU letter reads.

Sohi said the premier made no promises on timelines, but pledged to work with the city on its priorities.

A statement from the premier’s office said the province ‘will continue to be an active and willing partner’ in addressing social issues in the city’s downtown core, including through its safety task force. public and community intervention in Edmonton.

Smith “also highlighted the need to collaborate on major capital projects and raised concerns about high property taxes and their negative impact on small businesses and jobs, especially downtown,” the official said. communicated.

“Premier Smith is committed to working with the City of Edmonton on the issues it has raised, but has identified the need for detailed plans to meet their specific requests.”