A Calgary man, Brendan Lowe, discovered an abandoned encampment behind his home in September. The site, near the community of Dover, was filled with scattered items including paint cans, mattresses, discarded furniture, a wheelchair, and garbage. Concerned for his family’s safety, Lowe began making calls to the City of Calgary and the provincial government to have the area cleaned up. However, his requests have gone unanswered, with both entities passing responsibility back and forth.
City officials informed Lowe to contact the province as the encampment is located near Deerfoot Trail, a roadway corridor maintained by the Alberta government. The city stated that the site is owned and operated by the province and, therefore, the cleanup falls under their jurisdiction. However, the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services stated that encampment cleanup in the City of Calgary is led by the municipality and local emergency services, not the provincial government. The Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors also clarified that while they own and manage Deerfoot Trail, they do not have jurisdiction over property outside of the right-of-way.
The City of Calgary operates a Joint Encampment Team (JET) to address encampments in city communities and is responsible for cleaning up and removing encampments from public property. According to the city’s website, it can take up to 30 days to resolve an encampment complaint, depending on whether the site is occupied. Despite the jurisdictional confusion, Lowe just wants the site cleaned up and is willing to put in the effort himself if needed. Calgarians encountering similar situations can contact the Alpha House Society, which has outreach teams that connect people experiencing homelessness with relevant resources and work towards the goal of securing housing.
As the dispute over responsibility for the cleanup continues, Lowe remains frustrated by the lack of action. The back and forth between the city and province has left him feeling ignored and left to deal with the issue alone. The conflicting statements from the different entities involved further complicate the situation, with no clear resolution in sight. Lowe’s concern for his family’s safety and the well-being of the community remain at the forefront, as he hopes for a resolution and for someone to take responsibility for the abandoned encampment.
