City, province receive low grades for action on homelessness

Food security activist Dan Johnstone, also known as Can Man Dan, has given Alberta and the City of Edmonton a failing grade on dealing with homelessness.

The City of Edmonton and Alberta government have received low grades in addressing homelessness from a philanthropist who has spent the last year trying to get the attention of leaders.

Since Daniel Johnstone, known as Can Man Dan, launched the “Time for a Change” campaign a year ago, he says he has met with members of Edmonton city council, Alberta’s legislative assembly, and parliament to speak about Edmonton’s worsening homelessness.

He called the conversations largely unfruitful, even if some representatives were compassionate.

“What I’ve heard is that: if Edmonton solves homelessness, other cities will send us their unhoused; politicians and the general public are too concerned with other pressing issues, including Alberta independence, failing health care, or the cost of living; or, finally, that it’s Premier (Danielle) Smith’s job,” Johnstone recapped during a news event on Wednesday.

He gave the City of Edmonton a -C- for its work on the issue.

“(Mayor Andrew Knack) is on the ground. We’ve taken him on tours and he is turning some old surplus land into affordable housing. But all of his initiatives are not happening fast enough,” Johnstone explained.

He failed the Alberta government, never having gotten to meet with the premier.

“Ultimately, the government of Alberta is leading the charge…. Look at our streets. Look around. You can tell why they get an F.”

He is calling for a plan to end homelessness, the construction of thousands of low-income and subsidized housing units, a ban on police dismantling homeless camps, and more innovation from both the public and private sectors.

In January 2026, there were nearly 4,000 unhoused people living in Edmonton, according to Homeward Trust.

Jason Nixon, minister of assisted living and social services, questioned Johnstone‘s grade and touted the province’s approach.

“We’ve invested a quarter billion dollars in putting in the most homeless spaces, emergency spaces in the province’s history,” he told reporters at the legislature.

“We’ve brought in pet spaces, we’ve brought in couple spaces, women only spaces, Indigenous spaces and continue to lead the country.”

A city spokesperson said the municipal government was doing its part by addressing the immediate needs of homeless Edmontonians, such as providing transportation and shelter during extreme weather events and helping to build 5,500 housing units since 2019.

“Homelessness is a complex challenge that no single organization can solve alone. Help is needed from multiple orders of government, front-line organizations and communities throughout Edmonton. The city welcomes the coordinated and collaborative actions from all parties willing to contribute to solutions.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein