Edmonton got a call out from a White House advisor on American TV over fentanyl overdoses.
“In Edmonton last summer, I walked out of my hotel and they had an ambulance helping someone who sadly overdosed on fentanyl, and then as I’m walking to my restaurant, two people get into a fight with the cops over drugs, and that’s just on my one day staying there,” said Kevin Hassett, a White House National Economic Council Director.
Edmonton’s mayor says these comments highlight the need for provincial and federal help.
While other councillors say it’s a matter of enforcement with council set to debate a new public spaces bylaw next week.
“Last year, 441 Edmontonians died because of a drug poisoning crisis. This is directly caused by the illicit supply of drugs into our country, but it’s also caused by the lack of action by the federal government and the provincial government,” explained Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
Edmonton’s mayor hopes comments from the white house shine a light on the fentanyl crisis impacting the city, but Alberta’s Minister of Social Services, Jason Nixon, says the province is already working on it.
“Well, when it comes to Edmonton, Alberta is spending at record rates when it comes to tackling homelessness and the drug epidemic,” said Minister Nixon.
Minister Nixon touted $85 million spent by his ministry last year to support vulnerable Edmontonians, adding, that Alberta is ready to make the case to U.S. Lawmakers.
“When it comes to things like border security, we will be absolutely excited to talk about the groundbreaking work we’re doing in recovery. When it comes to addictions and caring for people who suffer from addictions in our province,” he explained.
Director Hassett also compared the fentanyl problem in Alberta cities to San Francisco.
Edmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell spoke on social media, accusing Mayor Sohi of not seeing the downtown disorder and drug crisis as a problem.
“It’s alarming to me that we continue to have this reputation.”
Cartmell points to an at-times rocky relationship with the Edmonton Police Service and Commission, as well as a public spaces bylaw set to be debated in council next week.
“Where the fine for illegal drug use and illicit drug use in public spaces is $25 proposed, and the fine for feeding the birds is $250. That sends a bit of a message that says council and the city believes the proportionality of those things is skewed,” said Cartmell.
Mayor Sohi, pushing back, highlighting how Edmonton is disproportionately impacted by social issues, with a concentration of people from rural and northern communities accessing support in the capital city.
“So anyone to suggest that this council has not been taking action is absolutely not the right approach to take. We have been working hard and I have been working hard pressing up on both the federal and provincial governments that they need to do their part,” said Sohi.