City Homelessness Task Force at Odds Over Funding

SafeLink Alberta’s drop-in centre located on North Railway. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

Premier Danielle Smith and SafeLink Alberta executive director Katie Ayres might be members of the same city task force seeking to get a handle on drug addiction and homelessness in Medicine Hat but they appear to be on different pages when it comes to funding support services.

Council heard on Monday the provincial government rejected the City of Medicine Hat’s application to the federal government to provide funding support to SafeLink’s local drop-in centre.

“Given SafeLink’s previous initiatives — particularly the distribution of pamphlets advising youth on how to use dangerous illicit drugs — there was not enough comfort or alignment with provincial priorities to approve the funding request,” stated Nathaniel Dueck, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction.

The issue of funding for SafeLink’s drop-in centre was raised during the Oct. 8 meeting of the Medicine Hat Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force which lists Premier Smith, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wight and Ayres as members.

“Ms. Ayres advised that since the closure of the Mustard Seed on Allowance Ave., the SafeLink staff have been challenged by a drastic increase in use of their drop-in centre,” reads the Oct.8 task force meeting minutes. “At present, it appears the SafeLink drop-in centre will need to close soon due to lack of resources.”

Neither Premier Smith nor Wright were present at the Oct. 8 meeting, though, each local MLA sent representatives from their respective constituency offices.

The city applied to the federal government’s Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to provide those funds, was successful at the federal level in its application but the provincial government blocked the funding.

Dueck highlighted the ETF federal program is designed to provide urgent and targeted funding as a response to the overdose crisis.

“In the City of Medicine Hat’s request, there was no mention of using the funding to operate a daytime homeless shelter,” said Dueck in a statement sent to the Owl Wednesday afternoon. “Also, there was insufficient detail or assurance that the funds requested were going to prioritize connecting individuals to recovery-oriented supports.”

The federal funding was blocked under provisions of Alberta’s Provincial Priorities Act.

That legislation was passed in 2024 and requires provincial approval of any federal funding to Alberta municipalities.

According to the province, Alberta municipalities are subject to the act and should contact the Alberta government to discuss their funding needs related to the ETF.

SafeLink has not replied for a request for comment.

The Medicine Hat Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force was scheduled to meet Dec.  10, though, no meeting minutes are currently publicly available.

As of this week, SafeLink is continuing to offer drop-in centre services.