Tent encampments near Telford Lake spark concern

LEDUC -- The issue of tent encampments was front-and-centre this week at Leduc's regular council meeting.

Several residents voiced their continued concerns about the encampments in the area of Telford Lake, saying that more action is needed to address the long-standing issue. Of the concerns expressed, residents say the camps pose significant risks not only to public safety, but to the natural environment of the area.

In addition, it's been said that the camps have become a haven for illegal activity, stolen property, and drug abuse. In response to the ongoing concerns, Leduc Mayor Bob Young defended the efforts of the City in working to address the situation.

"When the City is made aware of homeless encampments, we act on them," said Mayor Young. "This year to date we've removed twenty-one encampments in the City of Leduc. So, people aren't sitting around doing nothing."

The Mayor points to a lack of provincial funding as a primary reason for the municipality's struggles when dealing with homeless encampments, and says until that changes, combating homelessness locally will always be an uphill battle.

"We did get funding for a shelter here in Leduc, but since the shelter closed I don't believe there will be an opportunity to get funding from the provincial government anymore." said Mayor Young. "Even when we had a shelter here in Leduc we still had issues, and we still had people that were dying."

Young notes that the Alberta Government's funding for homelessness supports is typically provided to the province's five largest jurisdictions -- Edmonton, Calgary, Grand Prairie, Red Deer, and Lethbridge. Vice Chair of the Leduc Hub Association Melody Miners also spoke at the meeting, and says that a thoughtful, well-rounded approach is needed to confront the issues.

"Without local supports or housing options, these challenges will persist, and they will continue to show up in public spaces not meant for public habitation," said Miners. "What's truly needed is a compassionate, safe space for people to go, one that preserves dignity and moves them out of parks and bushes."

She says dignity must remain central to any response to the ongoing issues, and urges the City to invest in local preventative solutions. Meantime, residents are encouraged to report any tent encampments to the City of Leduc.