A productive meeting was held June 20 between Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro, Labour and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to discuss the City of Edmonton’s public safety plan, which was submitted to the government on June 9.
At the meeting, Alberta’s Director of Law Enforcement provided an overview of Alberta’s response to the plan, which was provided in writing to the City of Edmonton. The response will not be released at this time, as both parties have committed to working together to refine and improve the plan in the near term. Provincial and municipal officials will collaborate on determining next steps in the coming weeks.
Mayor Sohi provided an overview of the City of Edmonton’s requests for social supports. They include the implementation of minimum shelter standards, equitable funding for shelter capacity and to support local plans to end houselessness, and the coordination of a release plan for vulnerable persons and supports to tackle the drug poisoning crisis. Both parties have committed to discussing these matters further.