“The province has not received, nor has the province declined, an offer on encampment funding. It is disappointing to see that the federal government is playing politics with vulnerable Albertans.
“We did receive a letter from federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser that initiated planning for federal encampment funding. However, there was no offer of encampment funding and at no point was a deadline provided to the province to finalize an agreement. Officials have met regularly to discuss the best use of these potential funds, including as recently as Monday, Oct. 21.
“This year alone, Alberta’s government is investing almost $210 million in homelessness initiatives - the highest investment in the province’s history. We have increased our shelter capacity to the most in Alberta history and are operating below capacity.
“While Alberta is open to federal partnership on these issues, we are not interested in playing politics with the federal government. Alberta will continue investing in this life-changing work, with or without the federal government.”