, yd... cs 7 aoB£ orc;na i rt cd issell Centre Marian Centre 477-5931 ; 10527-96 Street 423-2285 10528-98 Street 424-3544 Thursday — 12;30 p.m. soup Saturday - 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. breakfast Sunday 12:00 —1:30 p.m., sandwiches and Daily except Wednesday 3rd Friday of the month - 7:00 supper snacks after church service °12:00 to 12:45 p.m. meal Monday to Thursday - Closed from the 27th of each month to re- Victory Café and Soup Bar 10:30 a.m. — sandwiches open the ist of next month 13411- Fort Road Tuesday and Friday - noon — hot lunch for Monday — 5:30 to 6:45 meal women Mustard Seed Friday 9:45 a.m. — sandwiches 10636-96 Street Women’s Emergency Accommodation 426-5600 Centre Christ Church 12116-102 Avenue 488-1118 Monday to Friday 7:00 to 8:00 supper 9611-101A Avenue 423-5302 Zero tolerance of)al cohol Meals for women staying at the shelter. If not, 5:30 meal every 3rd Saturday of the month a bag lunch is given. Operation Friendship Herb Jamieson Centre 10014-105A Avenue 9526-106 Avenue 429-2626 Edmonton Orthodox Reformed Church 429-3470 Monday to Friday - 9:00 a.m. breakfast 11610 — 95A St. Only for men who are not on assistance. If on Monday to Sunday —- 12:00 noon lunch Worship Services 10AM & 6PM Sunday assistance, they must get permission form 5:00 p.m. supper their worker for seniors 55 and over only Mondays 6:15 Youth Gym Night Thursdays 6:15 Soup & Study — Free! Monday to Friday — 7:00 to 7:45 breakfast 12:00.to 12:45 p.m. lunch R42e2d5 -R1o1a8d AHveeanluien g Soc4i7e1t-y3 220 Info: Pete Wright — 479-1860 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. supper Tuesday and Thursday — 5:00 p.m. meal www.orcurc.org Weekends 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. brunch Friday — 12:00 to 1:00 soup and bannock B's Diner -100 Street and Whyte Avenue - 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. supper River of Life Church meals, Wednesdays 1 to 3 p.m. 11368-95 Street 479-6762 Edmonton Inner City Victory Church Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre - Thursday and Friday — 10665-98 Street 15210-Stoney Plain road - meals - Mondays 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. lunch Friday 7:00 to 8:00 meal 7 to 8 p.m. Robertson Wesley United Church House of Refuge Mission 10209 —- 123 Street 482-1587 10339-95 Street Second Saturday of each month — Daily-8:00 p.m. meal 5:00 p.m. meal J-Jireh Mission Soup Kitchen — East Sai Sadan Wanted: 11905- 82 Street 489-9138 9619-101 Avenue upstairs Wednesday — 6:00 p.m. meal Warm winter clothing, jeans, snowboots, Wednesday and Sunday 4:00 p.m. meal sleeping bags, blankets, and quilts for home- J-Jireh Mission Soup Kitchen - west Salvation Army less people. Drop off your donations at the 10137 - 150 Street 489-9138 9620-101A Avenue 242-9222 House of Refuge Mission at 10339-95 Street Friday - 7:30 a.m. breakfast ’ Thursday - 4:00 p.m. meal from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Sunday - 10:00 a.m. meal St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 9606-110 Avenue 426-1122 JJAM (Just Jesus and Me) 12 Step program thouse Ministries 3010-119 Avenue Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — 7:00 to for any addiction. 7:45 Mondays at E3C 423-1277 or 474-8086 9:00 a.m. breakfast Church, 117 Avenue, 105 Street. Wednesday and Sunday 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. meal St. Faith’s Anglican Call 914-8761 for information. 11725-93 Street — parish hall h “There is a need for helping those in our com- munities that fall on hard times. There is also a A new year...a need to provide affordable housing so that more new premier...a people can find appropriate accommodation, and can afford to make other healthy choices. “The clean slate: rapid growth of our economy is fueling proper- ty inflation that is felt everywhere and is causing” Don’t disappoint acute social problems in many Alberta commu- us, Ed nities. “The housing market is in a temporary imbalance and an immediate provision of afford- able housing will help the supply of housing Allan Sheppard is a freelance writer and editor, and a volun- catch up with demand and reduce speculation in teer writer for Edmonton Street News. As a pensioner, he inds himself from time to time on the edge of poverty and the housing market. It is critical that we find 1omelessness. As a self-appointed community elder, he thinks immediate shelter for people living in our com- ind worries about the needs of children, youth, parents and »thers who face lives of poverty and inadequate education in munities without a home or a place to sleep.” he midst of unprecedented wealth. (http://tamarackcommunity.ca/downloads/ve/C AL_StreetTalk_ Sept06.pdf) It’s a new year, a time to look back and a time to Premier Ed seems to understand the problem. He look forward. In the world of the poor, the home- seems to understand its causes and conse- less, and the poorly housed, there is no point in quences. He seems to know what to do about it. looking back: there is little to see there and noth- But will he do it? Which brings me to the bad ing worth remembering. 2006 may have brought news: Ed Stelmach is not Ralph Klein. Before MLA Ed. unprecedented prosperity to Alberta and great joining Premier Klein’s cabinet, wealth to many Albertans. But Albertans who Stelmach distinguished himself as a member of could not take advantage of the economic fallout the “Deep Six” group of hawkish fiscal conser- Edmonton Street News is an from $60-, $70-, even $80-a-barrel oil—some of vatives who reveled in prodding and provoking ndependent publication produced | by volunteers and sold by vendors them due to their own choices, many not—fell their colleagues in Klein’s first cabinets to slash _ on the street. behind as their friends, neighbors and newcom- and burn government spending and programs, ers to the province moved forward. including (need we mention?) social programs Editor: Linda Dumont Allan Sheppard Housing was and remains a critical chal- aimed at the poor. His campaign for the leader- lenge. In the midst of sometimes almost obscene ship of the PCs emphasized conservative eco- * Design: Theresa McBryan, Linda » Dumont wealth and excessive consumption, there are still nomics and approaches. To say that Premier homeless people living on the streets of our Stelmach is in almost every way more conserva- | Writers: Allan Sheppard, Linda » Dumont,, Ted White, Ron Mayson, cities or scraping by on the generosity of rela- tive than Ralph Klein is to state the obvious. Thomas Robillard, Tom Engel, tives, friends, and the community. If Alberta To be fair—and at the beginning of a new year Edmonton Housing Trust Fund were a country, it should surely rank at the top of and a new premier’s tenure, we must be fair— Photographers: Linda Dumont, the United Nations’ annual ranking of the most Premier Stelmach has not had time yet to follow » Theresa McBryan, Lauren desirable places on earth in which to live. up on his campaign comments with policies and » Kalinowski, Glen Dumont Canada once occupied that position, but it has _ programs on poverty, housing, and homeless- Cover Photo: Pedro Schultz by slipped badly and sadly down the scale, mainly ness. Until he does, we should assume his good Theresa McBryan © The deadline for advertisements because of its dismal performance in dealing intentions and hope for the best. But if nothing and submissions for the next issue with poverty, especially child poverty. The has changed after three or four months, © @ is January 20. Chrétien and Martin Liberals had a lot to do with Albertans with a social conscience must be pre- Phone: 428-0805 that, squeezing the poor to extract marginal dol- pared to act. And they must start lobbying now Email: lars that could generate surpluses instead of the for policies and programs that will help. [email protected] Address: deficits created by the Mulroney Progressive Nimby nonsense I have been skeptical in the 9312-109 Ave. Conservatives. But having tamed the deficits past about Mayor Mandel’s and the current Edmonton, AB TSH 1C5 and helped restore national prosperity, the council’s commitment or ability to take on the Liberals failed to restore federal anti-poverty housing challenges in Edmonton. I was pleased, and housing support, to their enduring shame as therefore, when the city came forward with its a former government and our continuing shame proposal to make certain school properties avail- The views presented in this publication are those of the writers. as Canadians. Given an opportunity to make up able as sites for low-cost housing. And I was dis- for Liberal failures, the best the Harper appointed (but not surprised) when neighbour- Conservative government can do is restore for hood groups protested the idea, fearing that the the next two years the inadequate support pro- value of their own houses would fall. The not-in- vided by their Liberal predecessors. my-back-yard syndrome is alive and well in our Knowing that we have little to look for from city. In December, Statscan released a report, Ottawa, Alberta’s poor and homeless surely Revisiting Wealth Inequality (http://www.stat- have the right to expect more from their provin- can.ca/english/freepub/75-001-XIE/11206/art- cial government, which clearly has the wealth Lhtm), that shows how the gap between the and capacity to be generous. The question is wealthiest 20 per cent of Canadians and the Does it have the will? Specifically, Does our poorest 20 per cent has grown since the 1980s newly minted premier, honest and easygoing Ed and continues to grow. The main reason for the Stelmach have the will to deal aggressively with growing gap is that the already wealthy (95 per poverty and homelessness in Alberta? Is reliev- cent of who own their houses) have benefited ing poverty and homelessness a burning issue from appreciation in the value of housing, com- for him (or whatever passes for a burning issue pared to the poor (only six per cent of whom in one so laid back and easygoing)? own their homes). The obvious solution is to First the good news: Ed Stelmach is not Ralph make it possible for more poor people to own Klein. He will not show up drunk at a hostel property. That, as I understand it, is the purpose for homeless men and berate the occupants with of the city’s proposal. The causes and conse- colorful language and gestures. Candidate quences of opposition to such proposals are the Stelmach is on record in support of providing subject for another discussion. I would just like, relief to the poor and poorly housed. In a at this stage, to congratulate Mayor Mandel and statement to Vibrant Communities Calgary, council members for their creative approach to a a non-profit poverty-reduction organization, he difficult challenge, and to encourage eS to said many of the right things: stand firm behind their proposal. Page 2 Edmonton Street News n resurf ar ‘ B. fter a three year hiatus the Art from the Unknown show last night (Thursday, December 14), was like a tiny Persian miniature compared to the huge sprawling canvas of other years. Paintings were from I-Human a youth ori- ented arts program and the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts for artists with men- tal/emotional issues rather than the huge cattle call for just any non-gallery support- ed artist that happened in the past. It was held at a smaller venue, the Catalyst Theater, a very small and intimate live stage instead of the Arts Barn, a huge, drafty, barely renovated bus garage. There were a very limited number of paintings and artists. Also like a Persian miniature, a perfectly done, short program including a speech by Raj, and a couple of hip hop ballads and some poetry. I did see some familiar faces from my Our Voice and demonstration days and had the opportunity to talk to Raj and thank him for all he has done to attempt to humanize the Alberta Government during his ten years in office. It was an enj able evening. I hope the two organizations who showed work see the value of host- ing the event and continue under their own steam in the future. Story and Photos: Theresa McBryan Ta Si ” Flying Saucer by Chris Zato Raj Pannu and Keith Turnbull attended the opening night of Art From the Unknown. For Emily by Lorraine Shulbao Edmonton Street News Page 3 Left: Edmonton Sheet | News vendor Phillip | Dainard catches up on | much needed sleep at | the Strathcona Farmers’ | Market. Before coming i to sell papers at the 3 market, Dainard had | been up for hours pick- | ing bottles and cans | from dumpsters. He is | homeless and lives in a ‘camp’ outside. Photo by Linda Dumont Edmonton Street News is more than just a ESN. In addition, the Social Justice Club from the University of 5| publication - it is a community of people Alberta has committed to a fundraiser in the spring. There have i brought together.by a common bond in which also been donations from a private donors. Ki we all play diverse roles. We have the board of You can help to keep ESN on the street. F , directors of the Edmonton Street News Society, For 2007, we are looking for 12 supporters who will each donate § ; most of whom wear one or two other hats in the cost of printing ($550) or a portion of the cost, for one month. that community. We have the writers and pho- Supporters can be individuals, groups, or businesses. ie tographers, other community support and, most Another way to support ESN, is to advertise in our publication. Ad :J important, the vendors. rates start as low as $30 a month for a businesses card sized ad, ee iF yeti As chair oft he board I am also managing editor of the Edmonton $400 for a full page ad. For ad rates, call Edmonton Street News at Street News. I am neither a volunteer nor an employee since I receive 428-0805. no wages, nor do I clock in volunteer hours. What I do, I do simply Adopt a Vendor 2oS vee because this is my life. Because of this, in the months during the past Edmonton Street News vendors need your support, too. For 2007, }B oe year when our bank account did not meet the amount needed to pay adopt a vendor. This is a very informal process, which begins with the printing bill at the end of the month, I did not hesitate to make up buying the papers and greeting your vendor. From there, friendship§ the balance to ensure continuation of our publication. Friends would grows. For example, Brittney White was taking one of the vendors say - :’ You can’t afford it. - if there is no money, just don’t publish out for pizza on a weekly basis until that vendor moved back to her e2Bef MF t the paper until there is.” But that doesn’t work when I know there are home reserve. Ginger Ekstrom gives rides to doctor's appointments, > vendors depending on the paper to be there for them to sell, adver- and helps out in other ways. Gail Kelly is at the Farmers' Market JJ tisers expecting their ads to appear in a timely manner, and customers every Saturday where she can be reached by anyone needing help waiting to purchase the next issue. with filling out forms, or other paperwork; she also visits those in the A) I am confidant that we will have a more stable economic balance hospital and the jail, and helps out in many other ways, such as with J. | in the coming year. Already, several groups have come forward with food, rides, and sharing other resources. _ offers to do fundraising for ESN. The first of these groups, the There are many others who are there for vendors in a variety of Strathcona Baptist Choir, held a concert and as a result was able to ways. I hear many reports from vendors about the support they | _ donate $300 towards our printing costs. The Journalists for Human receive. Just buying papers is a ereat Start. | Rights (see notice below) from the University of Alberta are hosting Yours sincerely, {< : Sa a small conference in January, ane will Bee e eouaucus for Linda Dumont Right :f earon ion Street RowellFf vendor and distributor Glen | J Journalists for Human Rights : Dumont takes time out from § ei selling abe to we lunch. presents: “Informed Ignorance: the Effects of Today’s Global Media” A four-day forum promoting media awareness. Monday 22 - Thursday 25 January, Pre-Party 9pm, Friday 19 January No registration necessary, Admission: Pay what ‘Black toenails are onee of the you can. latest looks for Edmonton Street All Proceeds to Edmonton Street News |News vendors. It's not nail-polish, ‘but the result ofU e Page 4 Edmonton Street News Vendors and guests received gifts donated by Theresa McBryaannd by St. Albert Parish Guatemala Mission Group. Brittney Whyte (left above) brought the gifts from the church to the party, and played the piano while Pedro Schultz ( front cover) played the violin). share in the celebration and to offer his services to those in need of help in dealing with the system. ESN treasurer Norma Harms received a donation at the party. From left: Norma, Theresa, Pedro and Dan with his cheque. as Christmas Part Phobtyo Thesre saMcBryan At the Edmonton Street News Christmas party December 8, vendors and friends gathered to share a turkey dinner. Turkeys were supplied by the Edmonton Food Bank, and vegetables were donated by Vriend’s Organic Farm. Above from left - ESN vendor Vivian, her partner, Glen, and Casey. Edmonton Street News Page 5 Letter to Ed Stelmach The author of this letter to brand-new Premer Hd politicians. little promise to fight for all the rights and privi- elmach likes to share his views with the hn - Time after time I sat in awe during the leader- leges Quebec has should do nicely Ed, so you ourable ladies and gentlemen of the Alberta ship campaign as I listened to your pronounce- don’t have to worry on that front for a while. Not Cabinet. This is me of his correspondences. ments, your tone of voice so earnestly implying that you have to actually DO anything about it of W atch for further letters in future issuss of ESN. that great concepts were being elucidated while course.... the words themselves managed to say nothing. Nice, that’s the key word Ed. A nice smile, Dear Ed, So don’t stray off that proven path now Ed. nice caring words. I’m confident you can pull that We don’t want a bunch of fancy plans and inno- off without forgetting the perspective that kept How sweet if feels to be writing as you settle vative policies. Reminisce about your grandpar- you on track back in your early days in the into your new office on the third floor at the Leg, ents on the homestead, about moving home to Legislature when you were one of the most Yessir, when none of the journalists thought you take over the farm when family tragedy struck, enthusiastic supporters of budget cuts that gave were worth a word of attention you'll remember | about helping out with the local 4-H. Those dis- the lazy do-nothings that want to feed at the pub- was writing to reassure you of success— right appointed guys in the press gallery are going on lic teat the heave-ho. Remember what you’ve here in Linda’s little paper that letter was pub- about your lack of charisma Ed but I’m remem- learned in life, that anyone who works hard and lished way back in June. I’ve got a lifetime of bering that old Ronnie Reagan managed to run a keeps his nose clean will succeed, so those who experience to prove it’s a mistake to ever under- lot bigger place than Alberta by just letting peo- aren’t succeeding must not deserve to do so. Nice, estimate the value of being a little slow on the ple feel comfortable, cozy as a winter morning oh and hollow, that’s a good companion quality. uptake, with rhetorical skills in the category of with a thick sweater and slippers, sitting down to Ed, you’ve staved off most of us having to lacklustre and ideas in the range of banal. That’s a a bowl of hot oatmeal. open our eyes and look about at what’s going on, powerful combination and rarely is it all found in What do you do next Ed? Just look into things thanks to your win. What a relief. It would have one man, as it is with you. for a while, every time an issue comes up sound been scary to have to wonder if the world might How bitter it must be for those hot shots your mildest as you remind us there are many be changing, if there might be issues to care about Dinning and Morton to not only lose, but lose to sides to it, that it needs some study, that you are or think about. And being such an insipid head of someone so stunningly boring and shallow. All confident you can find a solution that accommo- government means you should be able to avoid their machinations and analysis and fat bank dates all the views, then let it slowly settle into having to call an election for quite a while, long accounts wasted on voters who just wanted some- the old bureaucratic bog that is so wonderful at enough that young Kevin Taft and his chubby lit- one who wouldn’t trouble them with having to gently drowning anything that would lead to tle moustachioed socialist sidekick will have gone stir their brains from the latest TV sitcom or cof- change. hoarse from all their polemics and you can coast fee shop gossip. Those guys had their Rod Loves How could you know better than the big inter- to an even bigger majority than Ralph ever man- and all plotting tactics, but you had all those years national energy companies? If they know it’s fine aged. hanging out with the cows contentedly munching to keep digging up all of northern Alberta to get So welcome Ed, thanks for proving again that hay and farting— now there’s a real school for that oily sand we better trust them. If those big the dullest man wins. I look forward to you get- employers say the priority is foreign workers, not ting a cabinet of equally bland folks together, community building, repeating the story of the hopefully light on talent too, and then you’re on building of the railroad in the 19th century, do all the road. you can to open the doors wide. Toss out a few little things that get you some brownie points Already yawning, with the chattering classes, like all-party policy committees in the Legislature, harmless enough while you’ve got that massive majority. And Ted White don’t forget us Albertans expect you to pipe up PETER GOLDRING and take on Ottawa from time to time— your first Member of Parliament Edmonton East ? “Les Quebecois: A Nation Many are wondering why there has been all the fuss in “Parliament about “Les Quebecois as a Nation” issue. The issue began when Liberal wannabe Michael Ignatieff, in a desperate appeal to the Quebec votes of his liberal colleagues, dangled out his support of the present day province of Quebec as a nation. His disregard for the sensitivity of this issue was apparent as his initiative negligently allowed the separatists an opportunity to fur- ther their own agenda. The Bloc Quebecois jumped on the Liberal’s naivete and tabled a motion in the House of Commons that would declare the province of Quebec a nation. Stephen Harper and the conserva- tives masterfully. reversed this effort by introducing their own motion that recognizes the special roles of Quebecois people within a united Canada. “That this House recognize that the Quebecois form a nation within a united Canada.” The motion was debated for hours and then accepted and passed by all parties, nullifying the Bloc motion, which failed to pass. The Government of Canada recognizes a long known historical fact that the Quebecois people of Canada, just like First Nations and Inuit, have contributed greatly to the country we live in today. Strong leadership demands that when principles are at stake, By Lauren Kalinowski risks be taken and politics be set aside. The government believes that national unity and national recognition are more important than any one party. Hugh MacDonald, MLA Bruce Miller Cheap rhetoric, naive Liberal political pandering or sponsorship Edmonton-Gold Bar programs will not preserve national unity; rather strong leader- Ldmonton Gold Bar Constituency Office MLA, Edmunton-Gl-nurs ship and concrete action are the only ways to improve our fed- F1O2. 7024-101 Avenue. NW #7D/ WIIG 1458 eration. Edmonton A TSN 1Pa What do your think? Is it not right from time to time to give spe- Ldmonton. Alberta. 16A OH? Piscren: 45592599 Parc 495-2197 cial recognition without strings attached to groups of People who fel: 414-1015) Fax: 414-1017 qdmotiten gionotaiassembly.ab.ca have contributed to Canada? e-mail:hugh.macdonald assembly .ab.ca Http Awww bt iceriiler.ca 495-3261 www.petergoldring.ca Website: www. liberaloppesition.com )Y our - weoeew iny AtAblerbreerr s e’cs ffare eJtal passe Acen—c nfalye . Page 6 Edmonton Street News Edmonton Lawyer requests further investigation into police roundup of homeless people The following letter was sent by Lawyer Tom Engel to Police Chief Michael Boyd. Attention: Michael Boyd, Chief of Police The story was accompanied by a photograph research being done by the EPS with a conclusion of Diane Wood, Victor Robillard and Phyllis that Internal Affairs had no record of the allega- Dear Sir: Pasqueyak. tions. Because of that, it was recommended to Re: Complaints by Diane Wood, Thomas In a more recent edition of the Edmonton you that you direct the matter to go to Internal Robillard and Chris Robillard Street News, Volume 3, Issue 12, 2006, on page Affairs for investigation with you being the com- 4 there is another photograph of Phyllis plainant. You ordered that there be an investiga- We act for Diane Wood, Thomas Robillard Pasqueyak. tion on February 13, 2006. Subsequently, Staff and Chris Robillard who have instructed us to Sergeant Hogg of Internal Affairs was directed to complain on their behalf, under the Police Act We were advised that the individuals in the commence an investigation. He was directed to and the Criminal code. police vehicle were as follows: send a letter to me advising me that the matter had The complaints are primarily criminal in 1. Diane Wood. 2, Thomas Robillard, 3. Chris been sent to Internal Affairs by the Chief for nature. Specifically, the complaints are that cer- Robillard, Victor Robillard, Phyllis Pasqueyak, investigation. No such letter was ever received by tain Edmonton Police Service officers kidnapped Phillip Dainard, Audrey Faithful, Jimmy me. Instead, I received your letter dated February nine people with the intent to cause those people Nepshank and Audrey Faithful’s boyfriend whose 28, 2006 advising that the matter had already to be confined or imprisoned against their will, name we have not yet obtained. been investigated on an allegation of“ insubordi- thereby committing the offense of kidnapping, All of these individuals with the exception of nation” and that it had been “resolved to the sat- contrary to section 279 of the Criminal Code. Audrey Faithful, Jimmy Nepshank and Audrey isfaction of the complainant”. Those persons also committed the offense of Faithful’s boyfriend can be located through Linda forcible confinement, contrary to section 279 of Dumont, the editor of Edmonton Street News. On the sparse details that we have been pro- the Criminal code by, without lawful authority, She can be reached at 428-0805. vided thus far, it would appear that one female confining, imprisoning or forcibly seizing the Audrey Faithful is from Frog Lake Reserve complained about the nine individuals being same nine people. and the Band should be able to assist in locating transported to her neighbourhood. Her compliant her. Jimmy Nepshank can be located through the was resolved to her satisfaction. In volume 2, Issue 7, 2005 of the Edmonton Bissell Centre. Suffice it to say that it is shocking that these Street News it was reported as follows: I had occasion to speak to Diane Wood, allegations never resulted in a Criminal Code or “May 20, a group of southside homeless people Thomas Robillard, and Chris Robillard while even a Police Act investigation in relation to the were rounded up by the Edmonton Police Service they were selling the Edmonton Street News at mistreatment of these individuals. This is espe- (EPS) and retained in the police van “sweatbox’ the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market on cially so given that the event occurred only seven for several hours before being dumped at the December 9, 2006. They advised that they be (7) months following the release of the north end of the city. While they were stranded issued “tickets” and provided with badge num- Saskatchewan Report of the Commission of there, other EPS constables helped them out and bers so that these officers could be identified but Inquiry Into Matters Relating to the death of Neil drove them to the George Spady Centre down- both requests were refused. Stonechild. Would you please explain why that did not occur? When you formulate your town. “At about 5:30 p.m. the police picked up me On February 3, 2006, I wrote to you and response, I suggest that your bear in mind Police and Diane an then drove around and picked up asked whether these allegations had been drawn Service Regulation 5(2) (h) (“Neglect of Duty”). Tom, then they drove around looking for other to the attention of the Edmonton Police Service, These allegations were obviously brought to the people to pick up,” said Chris Robillard, who is and if so, if they had been investigated. attention of a number of sworn members of the one of the homeless residents of the Whyte Avenue Edmonton Police Service, including those offi- area. On February 13, 2006, you wrote back to me cers who transported these individuals from the “They drove us to the north side and on the way and advised that you were in the process of deter- north side to downtown and we know that they they picked up Audrey and Jimmy. It was really mining whether the allegations were currently were brought to the attention of sworn members hot, we were all sweating and I had to use the under investigation. in Internal Affairs and, finally, you. Would you bathroom but they didnt care. I took off my jack- not agree that there was a positive due to investi- Ge On February 28, 2006, you wrote to me and gate regardless of whether there was a formal Diane Wood said there were nine people advised me as follows: complaint by a citizen? crowded in the back of the police van, which seats ‘As a follow-up to your correspondence dated When this matter is investigated, we request six, by the time the police were finished with the February 3, 2006, regarding the article from the that the “racist emails” file be cross referenced to roundup of southside homeless people. Edmonton Street News, I have determined that see whether there is any connection in relation to “We were picked up on Whyte Avenue just the incident has been investigated by the Internal the members involved and/or the attitudes because we're Native, the regulars. You dont Affairs Intake Investigations Section under file involved. even have to be too drunk. They wanted to fill the number 1A2005-0173. back of the van. It was full and really hot — thats The complainant in the matter made an allega- Finally, it is our position that the Edmonton why it’s called the sweatbox,” said Diane. “There tion of Insubordination under the Alberta Police Police Service should have nothing to do with the were no charges. They didnt want us to get their Act regarding the transport of the individuals ref- investigation and disposition of this compliant badge numbers.” erenced in the Edmonton Street News article to given the conduct of the matter thus far. Wood said there were three police officers in her neighborhood on May 10, 2005. Therefore, we request that, pursuant to section the van and that they were laughing and having The matter has since been resolved to the sat- 45(5)(b)(ii) of the Act, you find that it would be fun while the nine people were sweating it out in isfaction of the complainant. Unfortunately, I am in the public interest to have another police serv- the back. not in the position to be able to release any infor- ice conduct the matter and request that the Chair Wood and Robillard said they were all driv- mation regarding the complainant due to the of the Edmonton Police Commission make those en around for at least two hours, maybe more, Freedom of Information and Protection of arrangements. and they were so crowded that two of them had to Privacy Act.(FOIPP) In any event, I trust that you will agree that this sit on the floor and one of the girls on her is a matter “of a serious or sensitive nature’, boyfriend’s lap. It was a very hot day, and the On November 8, 2006, I received FOIPP dis- being the transportation of natives from one area windows were all rolled up and no air condition- closure from the EPS FOIPP Unit. None of the of the city to another and abandoning them there ing was turned on. The group was dropped off at documents in relation to Internal Affairs file without any lawful authority. Therefore, you are 2005-0173 were included. I followed up on that obligated, pursuant to section 46.1(1)(b)(ii) of the 127*h Avenue and 80 Street. T.h ey didnt have bus with the EPS FOIPP Unit and I was advised on Police Act to report this to the Minister. To facil- money to get back to the south side. Just a little December 8, 2006 that the Edmonton Police itate this, we are copying this to the Minister and pocket change. Service refuse to provide me with any documents sending a letter to him asking that he intervene to But soon another police car drove up, and from that file. That matter will be appealed to the conduct the investigation. after hearing what happened let the group drink Provincial Privacy Commissioner. there while they waited for a paddy wagon to take In the meantime, the disclosure we have Yours truly, ENGEL BRUBAKER them downtown. received reveals that my initial inquiry resulted n Thomas M Engel Edmonton Street News Page 7 - IN THE LAST 8 YEARS, OVER 500 HOMELESS MEN WOMEN AND CHILOREN HAVE BEEN ATTACKED. 183 HAVE DIED. ’ r, @ LoaT+ Perl Ber er a ere ry net thi L At iy needa Tnis society rar Think ive - nz o one wil“lat ever know ss c uunn til | ftt hey tryy itit . art will ever think hat you are. you want to do. B int to be Jus ou and be true wb TG stam Chartotte York, 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL Ricky White, 45, Galveston, TX. ¢ Victims range from 4 months to 84 years old. ¢ 58% of the perpetrators were ages 13-19. WHAT CAN WE D0? We need to educate lawmakers, advocates, and the general public on the problem of violence against homeless persons. Your support will help the Na tional Coalition for the Homeless take a stand against violence! Please become a member of NCH by sending in your tax-deductible contribution today! ; A| National Coalition for the Homeless nr 2201 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20037-1033 462.482 nationalhomeless.org www. nationelhomeless.org La é A ponieieee eouiple "sls8Beb5e side their cart ii n the A 2k nae 5 doorway of an XXX porn enoro ni eee Avenue. "It is an ambitious, comprehensive and collab- tion to the extra 400 spaces added, there is a plan pick-up times in od an ‘on-call orative winter emergency shelter plan that will to create an additional 339 spaces if the need service. To request assistance phone: 424-4106 or address the needs of the community," is how exists, says McGee. "The latest homeless count 554-2795 Edmonton Joint Planning Committee on Housing has proven to be a bellwether for action to aid the Drop-in and warming even to provide people Executive Director Susan McGee summed up this homeless. The shelters were handling a 25 per cent who are homeless with accessible and timely serv- year's blueprint to house the homeless during the increase in usage prior to the count," McGee ices. They provide people with no fixed abode a coming winter months. explained. place to access support and practical services "Twenty-one city agencies had a hand in craft- Among the winter emergency shelter plan activ- including bathrooms. ing this plan," added McGee, who oversaw the ities:: Additonal overnight shelter and food at the work of the committee and guided the project to The former city print shop near the CN Tower has Salvation Army and Hope Mission completion. Over $1.3 million has been allocated been renovated to accommodate up to 100 addi- To view the Winter Emergency Shelter Plan and to this year's plan, with funding contrib-utions tional mats. the Winter Warming - Shelter Resources informa- from the city, the province and the Edmonton Boyle Street Community Services will again oper- tion visit http://www.ehtf.ca/WESP%202006.pdf Housing Trust Fund ($519, 9311) to provide up to ate the Winter Homelessness Emergency The Winter Emergency Coordinator is David 936 spaces for homeless people. Response (WHER) van to transport individuals to Berger. Contact him at 423-3122 Ext. 254, Cell Normal shelter capacity for the homeless on shelters. This service is available seven days a 554-2804 or by e-mail at dberger@boylestco- any given night in Edmonton is 536 beds. In addi- week and provides a combination of designated op.org Can’t find Edmonton Street News on the street? Get a years subscription for $30. Send your cheque or money order to: Linda Dumont Edmonton Street News 9312-109 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5H 1C5 [| Yes, Please send me Edmonton Street News. Name For information and to sign up, call 428-0805. Address Vendors buy papers for 50 cents a copy and sell them for the Poer ata City Province donation. Postal Code To buy papers, call Angelique at 428-0805 - North Side Telephone email or find Glen Dumont ono oh street :