On Monday, August 28, 2023, the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights (CJHR) initiated legal action against the City of Edmonton in response to the harm arising from the ongoing eviction and displacement of individuals residing in encampments.
Despite being aware of the inadequate number of safe and accessible shelter spaces available to a rapidly increasing unhoused population, the City of Edmonton continues to displace and destroy encampments with nowhere for people to go. These actions have resulted in vulnerable people repeatedly being placed in dangerous situations without the most basic of personal belongings or survival necessities, violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and undermining their fundamental human rights.
The Coalition’s application for a temporary injunction stopping or restricting the City of Edmonton’s encampment displacement policy has been scheduled for January 11, 2024.
This lawsuit is being brought on behalf of homeless and vulnerable people who have little ability to protect their own rights, by a small not-for-profit organization that relies on committed volunteers and donations to do its work. The cost of gathering evidence and effectively representing our marginalized community members in a complex legal system is high. Here is a link to donate if you want to support this important legal action.
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