Introduction

The Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness

In late 2007, Premier Ed Stelmach and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Yvonne Fritz announced that the Alberta government would embark on a 10-year initiative to address homelessness in the province. On January 23, 2008, the Government of Alberta announced the establishment of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness (the “Secretariat”).

The Secretariat was given a mandate to develop a 10-year provincial strategic plan outlining “a comprehensive, co-ordinated and sustainable approach” to ending homelessness – including goals, timelines and financial requirements.

Rather than a task force or committee, the Secretariat was established as an agency of the Alberta government, intended to not only develop but also to lead implementation of the provincial plan. To this end, the Secretariat was instructed to develop and coordinate new initiatives to address homelessness, such as prevention strategies, research programs, and the creation of a homeless information management system.

The Secretariat was instructed to work with municipalities and communities throughout the province, and to support the development of community plans for action on homelessness.

Gathering input from communities

To inform the development of the plan, members of the Secretariat visited the seven major cities of Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grande Prairie and Medicine Hat.

Through these visits, the Secretariat learned about the unique challenges each community is facing in regards to homelessness.

The Secretariat spoke with Albertans working in homeless-serving systems, who described the roles they thought the Alberta government should play in supporting and coordinating action to address homelessness on a province-wide basis.

Secretariat members also met with representatives from municipal governments and community-based organizations who are involved in the development and implementation of community plans and initiatives to address homelessness.

The Secretariat reviewed existing action plans on homelessness that have been created by Alberta communities, those of other Canadian cities, and those of states and cities in the United States. It also reviewed research and literature regarding homelessness, including key elements that are common to successful plans to address homelessness.

Secretariat Membership

  • Stephen G. Snyder (Chair)
  • Jean Wilkinson (Vice-Chair)
  • Linda Black, Q.C.
  • Leonard Blumenthal
  • Gary R. Keen
  • Jane Manning
  • Murray Prokosch
  • Pam Ralston (CBO Representative)
  • Dr. Gayla Rogers
  • Dr. Pam Thompson, BA, MD, CCFP
  • Chief Charles Weasel Head
  • Robin Wigston (Ex-Officio Member)