The encampment funding was incredibly beneficial. We had a challenge in Calgary. We spun up an encampment shelter, working in partnership with two other service organizations that did outreach. One was indigenous-focused and the other was transitional housing for people leaving encampments.

In an eight-month period, the outcomes in that program were extremely high. Unfortunately, the funding ended and then started up again for just another one-year period. It's really difficult to run a program for six or eight months without multi-year funding. I would recommend that multi-year funding and operationally sustainable funding be considered on the encampment side.

10 a.m.

Coordinator, Table Itinérance Rive-Sud

Gilles Beauregard

We are in the same situation. Responses to funding requests arrive late, so when we set up the program from September to March, the bulk of the work is done in the summer. As Ms. Clarkson said, we're glad there's funding, but if it were possible to have a longer period, that would provide more visibility.

We mustn't forget that we're developing new programs, but this is still an evolving phenomenon that isn't easy to contain.

So, the answer to your question is yes, but we want greater predictability.

10 a.m.

Liberal

Caroline Desrochers Liberal Trois-Rivières, QC

Perfect. Thank you.

Mr. Beauregard, you mentioned the study by the Union of Quebec Municipalities stating that a homeless person costs the government approximately $70,000 per year.

We know that the support of the provinces across Canada is not even...with respect to coming to the table with wraparound services. I'd like to hear from you, Ms. Clarkson—because I'm very familiar with the situation in Quebec—about Alberta and other provinces that you'd be familiar with in respect of that piece about the support for transition. In Build Canada Homes, we have $1 billion, but it is predicated on the provinces coming to the table and providing support.

Give a short answer, please.

May 28th, 2026 / 10:05 a.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre Society

Sandra Clarkson

The provincial partnership is absolutely critical. Ideally, we're working towards the same outcomes.

In the province of Alberta, the encampment funding is a very great example. For that bilateral funding agreement, it took quite a long time to work through the details. You're right that there has to be coordination between the federal and provincial governments if we're going to really make a dent in this issue.

10:05 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Desrochers.

Ms. Larouche, you have the floor for two minutes and thirty seconds.

10:05 a.m.

Bloc

Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Beauregard, let's go back briefly to what I was saying about funding needs. These have been quantified: for example, every year, just for the CDC Haut-Richelieu-Rouville, there is a shortfall of just over $900,000 across the entire region to maintain current services. In terms of intervention, I'm thinking of groups like Actions Dépendances, Maison Oxygène Haut-Richelieu, Passe-moi la puck, or POSA/Source des Monts. Five services and three organizations are currently at risk and may have to close or scale back their operations by March 31, 2027. I received this information earlier this week.

As for the program to end encampments, at the beginning of the year, I brought together people from various organizations that benefit from it: Auberge sous mon toit, Le Passant, and Partage Notre-Dame in Granby. Last fall, there was talk that it might not be renewed after March 31. Ultimately, funds were allocated. However, how does this kind of uncertainty and lack of predictability hinder your organizations and the work you do?

10:05 a.m.

Coordinator, Table Itinérance Rive-Sud

Gilles Beauregard

Renewal takes place on March 31. When we haven't heard anything by March 1, for example, that means we have to tell the members of the current teams that they may no longer have a job and that we're going to give them their 4%. So, we lose the expertise of these people, who are connected to the field and to our community. I'll say it again: Relationships with people are the foundation. We work on policy, but it's the people on our teams who are out in the field every day.

It's a major problem when we lack predictability. It creates uncertainty. During January and February, workers tell themselves they'll look for another job elsewhere. I don't know if you've ever worked with homeless people; it's not easy. So, we need reliable people. We can't afford to be changing staff on a daily basis.

Predictability is one of our expectations. Could we have agreements not just for one year, but for two or three years—or as long as possible—so that we can develop appropriate programs? Often, these appropriate programs are built over time.

10:05 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you, Ms. Larouche.

Ms. Falk, you have five minutes.

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

Rosemarie Falk Conservative Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, SK

Thank you very much, Chair.

I'd like to thank the witnesses for taking the time to be here to share their experiences with us. I also want to thank you guys for doing the hard work and recognizing the dignity of a person, because people have dignity. Know that I really appreciate that and the work you're doing. I find sometimes this place is very black and white, and that's not life. Life is literally the grey.

A lot of policies are boxed into the idea that you either fit here or fit there, and if you don't fit into either one, then it's “too bad, so sad”. It's important that we have the grey area and have people recognizing the importance of it, because I believe that's where real change and transformation happen. When we look at the dignity of the person, we should meet them where they're at and give them a hand-up.

That's obviously in conjunction with the provincial and municipal governments, with wraparound services. That's also essential to this. I always use the saying that you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. It's the same with us. We can do everything, but if the will is not there.... That's why we meet people where they're at and help to ignite that. I want to thank you guys for doing what you're doing.

My first question is for Ms. Clarkson.

From your perspective at the Calgary Drop-In Centre, how has homelessness in Calgary evolved over time in terms of who is coming through your doors and the challenges they are presenting?