Federal Government Bypasses Provinces, Offers Direct Funding to Cities for Homeless Encampments

The Canadian federal government is stepping in to provide direct funding to cities like Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto to address the growing issue of homeless encampments. This move comes after disagreements with provincial governments, particularly Alberta and Ontario, over cost-sharing agreements. With winter approaching, the federal government says it cannot wait for provincial cooperation and is taking action to ensure vulnerable populations are supported. Alberta officials have criticized the federal government for 'playing politics' with the issue, while Ontario has yet to respond.