Social Services in Alberta

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Fri., Jul. 29, 2022, 11:14 a.m. Subject: Social Services in Alberta (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <administration@ccla.org>, <aimember@aiusa.org>, Abra Symko <Abra.Symko@gov.ab.ca>, CSS AB Works IS <abworksIS@gov.ab.ca>, aclupreferences <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <asis@asisonline.org>, Liberal Party of Canada <assistance@liberal.ca>, <asc.medias-media.csa@canada.ca>, <asketc@microsoft.com>, <Francois.Legault.ASSO@assnat.qc.ca>, <cameron.barr@washpost.com>, <sally.buzbee@washpost.com>, Ben Stephens <ben@francetoday.com>, <ContactUsEn@pmo.gov.il>, <community@texastribune.org>, NYT Corrections <corrections@nytimes.com>, Arlene Dong <Arlene.Dong@gov.ab.ca>, Duclos, Jean-Yves - Député <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, <elizabeth.may.c1a@parl.gc.ca>, <efren.zamudio@oregon.gov>, <Fadi.El-Abdallah@icc-cpi.int>, <externalrelations@csis.org>, <e.info@nwthumanrights.ca>, Tom Engel <tomengel@engellaw.ca>, <fkalmbach@theadvocate.com>, Forsætisráðuneytið <for@for.is>, <govpress@la.gov>, <GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com>, <gmcdonald@alabamanews.net>, Fisher, Gordon <gfisher@postmedia.com>, Guy Hibbert <guy@francetoday.com>, <hotline@ccteht.ca>, <hcenquiries@parliament.uk>, David Hulen <dhulen@adn.com>, HaveYourSay <haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk>, Kathryn Heppell <Kathryn.Heppell@gov.ab.ca>, <illinoisnewstoday@gmail.com>, <info@shdlawyers.ca>, CPJ Info <info@cpj.org>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, Johnston, Patrick <pjohnston@postmedia.com>, <kgchaumont@fbi.gov>, <KathyCrawford@house.mi.gov>, <kprice@amnesty.ca>, Kate Brown For Oregon Information <info@katebrownfororegon.com>, <lethbridge@globalnews.ca>, <liaisonofficeny@icc-cpi.int>, <Letters@calgaryherald.com>, Lisa Lopez <Lisa.Lopez@gov.ab.ca>, <murbina@fbi.gov>, <media.sf@fbi.gov>, EDC Minister <education.minister@gov.ab.ca>, Qualtrough, Carla - M.P. <Carla.Qualtrough@parl.gc.ca>, <News@hawaiinewsnow.com>, <newsdesk@krqe.com>, <new.scotland.yard@met.police.uk>, <news@abccolumbia.com>, <news@arkansasonline.com>, NCTE <ncte@transequality.org>, NWAC Reception <reception@nwac.ca>, News@KelownaNow.com <News@kelownanow.com>, Naacp <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, <osd.pentagon.pa.mbx.ce-public-inquiries@mail.mil>, <osd.pa.dutyofficer@mail.mil>, <Oprah@oprah.com>, <otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int>, <office@freedomlaw.ca>, <ombudsman-communications@forces.gc.ca>, <pitches@texastribune.org>, <press@usda.gov>, <premier@ontario.ca>, <premier@novascotia.ca>, <premier@gov.nt.ca>, <premier@gov.pe.ca>, <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.bc.ca>, <premier@gov.sk.ca>, <premier@gov.nl.ca>, <Colleen.Quinn@mass.gov>, <report@aiusa.org>, Rota, Anthony - Riding 1B <Anthony.Rota.C1B@parl.gc.ca>, <santuzza.wolff@gov.ab.ca>, Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@hhs.gov>, Shawn Sidhu <ssidhu@sidhuinjurylaw.com>, Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>, <tonews@cbc.ca>, tips@GlobalTVBC.com <Tips@globaltvbc.com>, <usaf.il.183-fw.list.public-affairs@mail.mil>, <us@ocasiocortez.com>, <contact.us@adcci.gov.ae>, <pro.ukk@kln.gov.my>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <vetscanada@gmail.com>, <curt.j.villarosa@abc.com>, <we.care@hopemission.com>, <WeekendNews@globaltv.com>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, <ted.arnott@pc.ola.org>, <education@nasa.gov>, <edumitru@amnesty.ca>, <edpubs@edpubs.ed.gov>, <edmonton@globalnews.ca>, <education@gov.nl.ca>, <receptionmhsa@gmail.com>, <reception@abo-peoples.org>, <rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com>, <zane@caj.ca>, <zkurz@osc.gov>

Hey Everyone, I am writing to you today to discuss the homeless crisis facing our world. I am currently homeless after being "cancelled" and therefore have visibility on this issue. Currently, Social Services in Alberta are cut off once you stay in a shelter. They assume that because your in a shelter basic needs are provided. However, as the staff can tell you there is not enough to meet the demand. The province assumed a set standard of homeless and budgeted for this amount. However, given the pandemic and drug epidemic the amount of people homeless has increased. Furthermore, rent on average for a room in this province is $600. Given that Welfare pays $733 for those without barriers to employment and $866 for those with barriers, this is clearly not enough. As such even those with homes use the shelter services which could not have been understood at budgeting time. Given the demand that outpaces the supply many things are scarce. As follows is a list of basic needs either too in demand or not provided: -sunscreen -shampoo -toothpaste -lunch and water when out as bag lunches sometimes arnt available in the am. -bus fare -hand sanitzer(it's a pandemic) -masks when your outside -over the counter medications -prescription meds (no welfare therefore no drug benefits card) -shoes -clothes -socks -specialized diet food -phones and phone time cards -chairs for elderly -hats -entertainment (shown to reduce crime, aggression and stave off mental decline) -soap (goes quick) -deoderant (goes quick) -meds for lice (happens in homeless circles) -moistirizer -feminine hygiene products -cold drinks or ice slushies to combat heatstroke -winter jackets -shoe insoles -backpacks -allergy medications (worst allergy season on record) -pillows -mattress toppers There are more needs that are either not available or scarce. Donations alone cannot always cover the gaps in this system. As such given the Charter arguments I made under section 7, 12 and section 15 more must be done to stave off homelesness. Further, welfare must still provide basic needs for each welfare recipients while in the shelter otherwise Charter violations occur. Finally, the shelters are overcrowded and underfunded and many times the staff as well go without proper seating or air conditioning. It is therefore time to revolutionize Social Support in this province and nation to ensure the standard of being Canadian is upheld no matter your housing status. Together, we must change the landscape of homelesness to ensure one day we can all go home. "Rights are just words without actions to defend them" John Ames Birch @johnames2