The City of Edmonton has identified eight encampments throughout the city to be high-danger and has ordered them to be dismantled through a court order made by the Alberta Courts on Dec. 18.
The court order also states that the residents of the encampment must have a 48-hour notice of the removal and have proper shelter spaces waiting for them after the encampments are removed.
According to the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, lots of the former residents of these encampments are choosing to stay on the streets instead of going to the shelter, as the dry winter has allowed them to stay outside, and they would be taken away from their community, pets, belongings, and romantic partners.
Bent Arrow said they can keep that community by continuing to live on their own accord rather than an organized shelter.
The court order is set to be revisited on Jan. 11.
