Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: Blog: Poverty

Blog: International Equal Pay Day
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By Mariska Konnik

International Equal Pay Day was established in 2019 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and falls on September 18th annually. (1) It was created as a response to the undervaluing of work typically done by women and the difficulties in tackling pay inequality that exists all across the globe. (1) Through creating International Equal Pay Day as an established global event, the UN General Assembly urges individuals to unite in collective action to support equal pay for work of equal value and see it as a worthwhile goal. (1)

What exactly does equal pay look like?

Equal pay means that both women and men have the right to receive equal compensation for work of equal value, and that women and men working in similar positions should receive the same pay. (1)

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Despite this seemingly simple definition, the issue of equal pay is one that is extremely complex and pervasive within society today. This can be demonstrated through the gender pay gap, and how it still exists worldwide, even here in Canada. Looking at Canadian statistics, on average, women workers earn between 69 to 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. (2) This figure only represents the average; the pay gap is wider for Indigenous women, women with disabilities, women with children, and women of color, to name a few. (2) The gender pay gap also exists in a wide range of jobs. For example, women in executive, high paying positions still make 56% less on average than their male counterparts. (5) The gap widens further for women of color who make about 32% less than non-visible minority women. (5) Similarly, in fields such as agriculture, law, dentistry, and engineering, the gender wage difference stands at about 30-40% in Canada as of 2018. (7) All these examples demonstrate how pervasive the gender pay gap is and how it exists across a variety of different fields, affecting women in various career paths. Furthermore, the gender pay gap persists despite there currently being more women than men pursuing university degrees. (5) Regardless of the progress in women’s education attainment, and an increasing rate of women in the labor force, efforts to close the gender pay gap have barely begun. (4)

Ending the gender pay gap is a significant and urgent problem within our society as it is one of the root causes of gendered poverty. (5) A direct consequence of the pay gap is women being more vulnerable to low income than men in Canada. (5) The pay gap holds a significant impact on women’s economic wellbeing, with consequences such as limited pensions upon retirement or being stuck in poverty despite working. (3) Poverty can increase rates of victimization and lead to women being trapped in dangerous situations as lack of income or housing options are considerable barriers to women being able to escape abusive relationships. (3)

What are some options for reducing and abolishing the gender pay gap worldwide?

According to Catalyst, an organization that focuses on women in the workplace, pay equity and increasing the representation of women in higher paying positions are key to addressing and closing the gender pay gap. (6) Additionally, the Canadian Women’s Foundation suggests that prioritization of workplace flexibility, especially for mothers and caregivers; ongoing audits of compensation and gendered advancement opportunities; and implementation of pay transparency policies are essential to addressing the gender pay gap. (5)

Through looking at the data surrounding the gender pay gap, the target goal of the UN General Assembly’s establishment of International Equal Pay Day becomes clear. Advocacy, continuous conversation, and clear action needs to be taken in regard to the gender pay gap and by establishing it as a globally-recognized day, steps can be taken to achieve just that.

Reference List
1. UFCW Media & News. (September 14, 2021). UFCW Canada supports International Equal Pay Day – September 18. UFCW Canada. https://www.ufcw.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33039:ufcw-canada-supports-international-equal-pay-day-september-18&catid=10267&Itemid=6&lang=en
2. NUPGE. (2021). International Equal Pay Day 2021. National Union of Public and General Employees. https://nupge.ca/content/international-equal-pay-day-2021
3. Women Act. (2022) Equal Pay Day in Canada. WomenAct. https://womanact.ca/equal-pay-day-in-canada/
4. UN Women. (September 18, 2020). Equal pay essential to build a world of dignity and justice for all, UN says, commemorating first International Equal Pay Day. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/09/1072722
5. Canadian Women’s Foundation. (March 15, 2022). The Facts about the Gender Pay Gap. Canadian Women’s Foundation. https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/the-gender-pay-gap/
6. Catalyst. (September 20, 2021). The Gender Pay Gap: Ask Catalyst Express. Catalyst: Workplaces that Work for Women. https://www.catalyst.org/research/gender-pay-gap-resources/
7. Maclean’s. (February 18, 2018). 20 jobs that have the biggest gender wage gaps in Canada. Maclean’s https://www.macleans.ca/society/20-jobs-that-have-the-biggest-gender-wage-gaps-in-canada/#gallery/gender-pay-gap-jobs-in-canada/slide-16
Mariska Konnik is a recent graduate from the University of Alberta with a BA in Criminology. She has a passion for social justice and hopes to assist individuals within the Edmonton community by sharing information and resources. She hopes to become a lawyer to continue her passion for social justice.

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September 15, 2022
Blog: The Effect of Extreme Weather on People Experiencing Homelessness

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By Amanda Labonte

Changes to our climate drastically impact the severity and duration of extreme weather events. Events in 2021 included flooding, out-of-control wildfires, severe storms producing large hail, and extreme temperature fluctuations as low as -51.9 °C to extreme heat, where temperatures reached 49.6 °C under the ‘heat dome.’ (1) People who are experiencing homelessness are affected by these changes to a greater extent, are exposed to greater risk, and should be considered when examining the impacts of climate change on people (2; 3). With temperatures on the rise globally and estimates of extreme heat events doubling over the next 30 years, these events are a serious threat during the summer months. (4)

High temperatures can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or death. (4) Symptoms of heat exhaustion can often be misperceived as intoxication by the general public and sometimes by first responders which can delay critical medical attention as it can cause confusion, vomiting, and a lack of coordination (4) for people experiencing homelessness this is a common barrier.

The Government of Canada recommends trying to stay cool and drinking lots of fluids to stay safe during extreme heat events. (4) But what if a person does not have access to air conditioning, water to take cooling showers or clean drinking water? (4) For many of Edmonton’s population who live in low-income housing or who are experiencing homelessness, this is the case.

People who live in low-income housing or who are experiencing homelessness have fewer resources and less access to cooling methods, the social stigmatization of experiencing homelessness can prevent access to public spaces that are air-conditioned (5) such as libraries, malls, LRT stations, or recreation centres.

The City of Edmonton has installed 13 drinking taps throughout the city that are accessible 24/7 to provide access for hydration. (6) The City “monitors for dangerous health conditions,” such as those tied to events of extreme weather, particularly cold weather events. (6) The City of Edmonton has established the “Supporting Vulnerable People During Extreme Weather Conditions” the purpose of which is “ensuring a systematic response to Extreme Weather Conditions in order to safeguard the health and lives of Edmontonians who are Vulnerable People. The response will be aligned with and supportive of existing community response protocols and will result in a responsible, reliable, and transparent process for decision-making.” (7) The challenge is that the focus for many of the policies developed for extreme weather tend to focus on extreme cold, while important in a province where long and cold winters are experienced, a more robust or consistent plan and implementation for extreme heat is something that needs consideration.

Places like the Okananagan last year and more recently cities in the Vancouver area have developed, opened, or made accessible ‘cooling centres’ during their extreme heat events. The City of Toronto however, has implemented a hot weather response from May 15 until September 30 activating the Heat Relief Network (8). Included in the network are “shelters and 24-hour respite sites that are available to individuals experiencing homelessness.” (8) The City of Toronto has made this a standing response as previously the cooling centres were only activated during periods of extreme heat, however, this was “not a sufficient response to minimize health risks.” (8) The City of Toronto has an Interactive Map for people to find places to cool off and places to access water during high temperatures. The barrier here would be if a person does not have access to technology or the knowledge that such a resource exists. Work still needs to be done to ensure this is easily accessible to the most vulnerable.

Extreme storms such as those that include heavy rainfall, damaging winds, or hail are also of concern for people experiencing homelessness. (9) It is important to recognize that during extreme events such as flooding, fire, wind, or hail, people who make their homes in spaces and structures that are not secure often lose their homes. (10) For people who are close to experiencing homelessness, extreme weather can be a tipping point, (10) this can have devastating impacts.

It is important to create policies and procedures that are inclusive and timely. Not everyone has access to the resources and means to ensure their physical and mental safety during extreme weather events, including heat waves. Policy and procedure development should include informing the public to reduce stigmatization of the populations that experience social isolation so they are no longer barred, removed or restricted from public spaces they may need access to ensure their safety. We can do better.

Reference:

[1] Government of Canada. (2021, December 21). Canada’s top 10 weather stories of 2021  https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/top-ten-weather-stories/2021.html

[2] Kidd, S. A., Greco, S., & McKenzie, K. (2020). Global Climate Implications for Homelessness: A Scoping Review. Journal of Urban Health-Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00483-1

[3] Bezgrebelna, M., McKenzie, K., Wells, S., Ravindran, A., Kral, M., Christensen, J., Stergiopoulos, V., Gaetz, S., & Kidd, S. A. (2021). Climate Change, Weather, Housing Precarity, and Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Reviews. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 5812. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115812

[4] Government of Canada. (2022). Infographic: Staying Healthy in the Heat. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/infographic-staying-healthy-heat.html

[5] Fraser Health. (2022). Extreme heat and people experiencing homelessness. https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/sun-safety/extreme-heat-and-people-experiencing-homelessness–a-primer-for-community-organizations

[6] City of Edmonton. (2022, June 29). Extreme weather response. https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/emergency_preparedness/extreme-weather

[7] Citizen Services. (2019, July 10). Supporting vulnerable people during extreme weather conditions. City Policy. https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/C620.pdf?cb=1658770910

[8] City of Toronto. (2022, May 30). City of Toronto reminds residents to stay safe in hot weather, find a cool space in the Heat Relief Network. https://www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-toronto-reminds-residents-to-stay-safe-in-hot-weather-find-a-cool-space-in-the-heat-relief-network/#:~:text=During%20the%20summer%20season%2C%20from,activate%20its%20Heat%20Relief%20Network.

[9] Cusack, L., van Loon, A., Kralik, D., Arbon, P., & Gilbert, S. (2013). Extreme weather-related health needs of people who are homeless. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 19(3), 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12048

[10] Every, D. (2017, September 8). Extreme weather makes homelessness even worse. Here’s how we can help. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/extreme-weather-makes-homelessness-even-worse-heres-how-we-can-help-82758
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July 27, 2022
Blog: Alberta budget a missed opportunity to improve lives of Albertans

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By: Sydney Sheloff and Brett Lambert

With the release of Alberta’s 2022 budget, the provincial government painted a rosy fiscal picture. For the first time in nearly a decade, they tabled a balanced budget and even posted a $511 million surplus. After years of running deficits, one might think this is the optimal time to make some robust investments that would strengthen public services and meaningfully improve the lives of Albertans.

While spending overall is up from previous years, the reality is that with spending levels still below the pace of inflation and population growth, we are falling short when it comes to making a meaningful difference, especially for marginalized and underserved populations.

As with each budget released, the Edmonton Social Planning Council took a deep dive and produced a fact sheet informing the public on what this budget means for social services and the populations they serve.

Rising household expenses are a pressing concern for the average person, with surveys showing more than half of Canadians cannot keep up. Whether it’s higher grocery bills, gas prices, insurance rates, or utility bills, people are feeling the pinch. While many hoped the budget might bring about some form of relief, it appears this was deferred. To combat high natural gas prices, the government will introduce a rebate program starting in October. While this measure will be helpful for the future, it does nothing to address the current pressures we have all been facing during a winter of prolonged cold snaps.

People living on various income supports are facing added pressures. Advocates have been calling for several changes to Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). First, the current benefit rate of $1,685 a month is far too low to meet basic needs. Many advocates say that raising benefits to the amount Canadians received through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), $2,000 a month, is a good starting point. Second, in the face of a rising cost of living, AISH payments need to be indexed for inflation. The budget addresses neither of these calls. Instead, they are maintaining current benefit amounts.

Investing in families and children is a key component in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our province. Funding for the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) remains on par with the last budget. However, funding before was insufficient. Research has shown that most families are receiving lower payments through the ACFB than through the previous Alberta Child Benefit and Alberta Family and Employment Tax Credit.

The last two years have been particularly traumatic for older Albertans amid the pandemic. While there are some investments in continuing care and home care, seniors living in low income still struggle to make ends meet. While federal pandemic-related support programs were an important lifeline, many of them are winding down and recipients inevitably will return to provincial programs. This includes the Alberta Seniors Benefit (ASB), which provides monthly financial assistance to those aged 65 and older. The maximum monthly benefit for a single person and a couple, $285.92 and $428.83, respectively, remains unchanged.

With AISH, the ACFB and ASB not indexed for inflation, benefits remain stagnant while the cost of living is rising significantly. Month after month, those who are already struggling will find it harder and harder to make ends meet. Income supports must keep up with the rising costs of living.

Ultimately, budgets are inherently political documents that offer a roadmap for where their priorities lie. Posting deficits are often cited as a reason why public services cannot be funded to the level they deserve. In the time of surpluses, one would think it would be the right time to usher in transformational changes and meaningfully expand and strengthen the social safety net. The fact that neither of these were on display in the latest budget is a missed opportunity.

Sydney Sheloff is strategic research co-ordinator for the Edmonton Social Planning Council.

Brett Lambert is research officer for the Edmonton Social Planning Council.

This op-ed originally was published in the Edmonton Journal on March 5, 2022, read the original op-ed here
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March 7, 2022
Blog: Mental Health-Related Disability and Employment Equity

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Nicole Sobus, ESPC volunteer

Accessing employment is an ongoing challenge for many individuals. Various factors come into play when looking for a job, such as skills, interests, and education, as well as the type and number of jobs available in the current job market. People with mental health-related disabilities face these same realities when looking for employment, but additional issues can make finding and maintaining employment difficult. According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, over 2 million Canadians aged 15 and over have a mental health-related disability. Of those aged 25–64, 655,000 are employed, 99,000 are unemployed and 666,000 are not in the labour force. Almost half of those employed feel their condition makes it difficult for them to change or advance in their job and 1 in 4 believe this is due to discrimination or stigma. However, a report from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (2013) shows that this is often under reported and many people experience structural stigma.

Bias and stigma toward people with disabilities is common in our society. Bias can be described as a lack of information and awareness that leads to disadvantaging particular groups or individuals. However, when it is combined with stigma, people are often devalued, rejected, excluded, and shamed, and can result in harassment and discrimination. There are laws in place to protect individuals engaged in the work force—in Alberta employers must follow the Alberta Human Rights Act. According to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, harassment can be expressed in the form of condescending comments meant to undermine an individual’s confidence. Discrimination occurs when there is an unfavourable influence on decisions impacting job performance due to harassment. These issues can exacerbate an individual’s mental illness. As a result, many employed individuals do not disclose their mental illness and, therefore, do not access necessary accommodations. However, if a person does disclose their mental illness, they are often not provided reasonable accommodations, such as a flexible work schedule, even though it is the legal responsibility of the employer to do so.

The Alberta Human Rights Commission defines mental disability as “any mental disorder, developmental disorder or learning disorder, regardless of the cause or duration of the disorder” (p. 2), which includes mental illness. It is an important point for individuals to know that they are protected and that there are steps they can take to request accommodations in order to maintain employment. Further, “the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that employers and service providers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to accommodate individual needs to the point of undue hardship” (p. 5). Reasonable accommodations vary depending on the situation. An accommodation would not be considered reasonable if it causes undue hardship to the employer. Additionally, accommodations that conflict with occupational requirements for basic job performance would be limited.

In many cases, work can often be adjusted to allow an individual to participate in the labour force. Accommodations should never be imposed on employees. When parties collaborate equitably, they can find ways for the individual to complete their work. For instance, if a person with a mental health-related disability is unable to physically leave their house on some days, but can do their work from home, an accommodation could allow them to work from home on those particular days. If an employee with a mental illness needs to rest at home, then they can take steps to negotiate completing their work another way—modified work days, reduced hours, and changes to duties are types of workplace accommodations many people require and can be offered without causing undue hardship. Undue hardship is not simply a reduction in productivity or an inconvenience to the employer. If an employer is insulting or intimidating employees, or threatens disciplinary action or termination when an employee requests accommodations, this is a form of harassment and discrimination. If an employee feels they are not receiving accommodations they require or they are experiencing harassment and discrimination, they can file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

The stigma that persists against people with mental health-related disabilities is pervasive in the work force. Employers have a responsibility to create and maintain a healthy work environment. The Government of Canada has developed initiatives and partnerships to support organizations and individuals. There was also a National Disability Summit (2019) that helped shape the Accessible Canada Act, and most recently a Disability Inclusion Action Plan—all of which address people with mental health-related disabilities and employment in addition to other disabilities and topics. These are important steps, but they are not enough. If we are to see long-lasting change, each of us must also examine and challenge our own deeply-held beliefs about disability and mental illness and take steps to make our workplaces equitable.

Nicole is a mom of two courageous, independent kiddos and an advocate for neurodiversity awareness and disability rights. Her vision is to create barrier-free schools, work environments, and public spaces for marginalized individuals. As a neurodivergent individual, Nicole is compassionate yet fierce, striving for equity and understanding along her journey.
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November 19, 2021
Blog: It’s time for an upgrade: Improving emergency shelter standards in Edmonton

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Written by Brett Lambert, Community Engagement Coordinator

For more than a decade, ending chronic homelessness has been a high priority for the City of Edmonton. The city was praised for reducing its homeless population in half, from 3,200 in 2009 to 1,600 in 2019. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this progress has experienced a major setback. To date, the number of people in Edmonton experiencing homelessness is nearly 2,700 according to Homeward Trust Edmonton.

As a result of the pandemic, temporary encampments popped up, most notably Camp Pekiwewin and Peace Camp. These camps served to raise awareness for the situation of Edmonton’s unhoused populations and the need for tangible and concrete action, particularly in the area of supportive housing.

With emergency shelters available for the unhoused, some might wonder why do encampments exist at all? While there are complexities to this dynamic, a lot boils down to safety concerns and a sense of belonging. Violent incidents, outbreaks of COVID-19, and gaps in accommodations and inclusion are some of the reasons individuals do not access these shelters. Though encampments are neither ideal nor a permanent solution, they do create a sense of community and a strong network of support among peers.

Nevertheless, an end to homelessness is the ultimate goal. Access to emergency shelters that are safe, accommodating, and inclusive has the potential to be a gateway for the unhoused to find stable housing and break free from the cycle of poverty.

With this in mind, Edmonton City Council saw the urgency to upgrade emergency shelter standards, a need which has only grown more pressing in light of COVID-19 (crowded shelters in a time of physical distancing is not conducive to slowing the spread of the virus). On August 25, 2021, the Community and Public Services Committee recommended that City Council approve a new report, City of Edmonton Minimum Emergency Shelter Standards.

The report outlines best practices for walk-up, overnight emergency shelter services for people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton. It was designed to ensure that essential services are client-centred, trauma informed, and are delivered in a way that benefits both individuals who are unhoused and the surrounding community. The guiding principles of these standards promote inclusion, such as an individual’s gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and other considerations. Culturally appropriate services for Indigenous peoples and an anti-racist approach is also crucial.

Other standards include providing 24/7 availability, dignified sleeping quarters, storage options for personal belongings, accommodations for pets, improved food and nutritional services. Additional supports for mental health, as well as LGBTQ2S+ and youth are also discussed.

It is also worth noting that the proposed emergency shelter standards from the City of Edmonton represent a significant upgrade from the current shelter standards as laid out by the Government of Alberta. While requirements for areas like food service, sleeping accommodations, and programs are at the discretion of the shelter operator, the proposed standards are a lot more concrete and specific, taking into account the unique and complex needs of those who access shelters, proactively making shelters more welcoming and accommodating. If implemented in its entirety, there is a lot of potential for improve the well-being of a shelter’s clients.

Of course, emergency shelters should be treated as just that: emergencies. They must operate as part of the continuum of housing and housing supports for unhoused individuals. When addressing emergency needs, the report acknowledges that these shelters are a crucial gateway to housing and other support programs. The ultimate goal is to successfully assist the unhoused out of the system and into stable and appropriate housing solutions, which is paramount to reversing the alarming trend of increased homelessness numbers due to the pandemic.
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October 11, 2021
Blog: Harm Reduction, People Who Use Drugs, and Their Communities

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Introduction

In early May, ESPC volunteer Jayme Wong published a blog post on supervised consumption sites in Alberta, detailing the debate surrounding their closures. Since then, the Alberta government has decided to close yet another service site in Calgary. While it has promised to move these services to another location, there is no indication as to when or where this will happen. People who advocate for keeping supervised consumption sites open stress the importance of harm reduction offered by these services. This blog post will dive deeper into what harm reduction means and the positive impact it has on people who use drugs.

What is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction is a public health approach that aims to decrease the negative consequences of drug use to users and their communities. Harm reduction is based in humanism and argues that people who use drugs have the right and the ability to make their own choices. As such, harm reduction-based services are accessible, flexible, and non-judgmental. People who use drugs are encouraged to start where they are at, that is, they do not need to make changes to their current lifestyle in order to receive support. Some features of harm reduction include providing people who use drugs access to safe supply, supervised drug use, and naloxone in order to reduce drug poisoning deaths. Harm reduction also involves challenging policies that misrepresent and stigmatize people who use drugs, and advocating for better health policy.

An essential tenet of harm reduction is recognizing that people who use drugs are the best source of knowledge about drug use and must be included in decision-making. Therefore, most information in this blog post comes from Alberta Addicts Who Educate and Advocate Responsibly (AAWEAR), a group of people with histories of hard drug use who strive to improve the quality of life of people who use drugs. AAWEAR is an Alberta-wide organization with chapters in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Edmonton. AAWEAR’s 2019/20 Annual Evaluation contains a survey conducted with people who use drugs in various communities. This evaluation includes essential information about harm reduction and the positive impact it has on people who use drugs.

AAWEAR members engage in on-the-ground outreach using harm reduction principles to meet the immediate needs of drug users. Activities include: distributing harm reduction supplies like clean needles and condoms, safely disposing used needles, offering first aid (including naloxone), and distributing wellness supplies such as hygiene kits, water, snacks, socks, and underwear. Alongside these activities they share knowledge about safer drug use practices, listen to people’s concerns, offer mental health support, and connect them to other community supports. Members also educate the non-drug using community to bring awareness to health issues, and advocate to decision-makers for the creation of better policy around drug use and its impacts on people who use drugs.

All members of AAWEAR have histories of hard drug use. Getting involved with this organization can provide social connection and a sense of belonging, allow people to gain new skills—both to help others and develop their personal wellness—and build confidence.

Who Benefits From Harm Reduction?

The individuals that AAWEAR supports in Edmonton are primarily in their 30s (31%), male (55%), and Indigenous (58%). According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), males aged 30–39 also have the highest rate of opioid poisoning deaths—in 2020 there were 259 drug poisoning deaths amonth this particular demographic. This indicates that AAWEAR is giving harm reduction supplies to the people who need them most.

Many of the peers that AAWEAR members reach use harm reduction practices. In Edmonton, 95% of the AAWEAR’s Annual Evaluation survey participants had accessed clean drug use supplies, and 65% had injected at a supervised consumption site. In 2019, the same reference period as this report, AHS reported that Edmonton supervised consumption services were visited 63,504 times. Thus, one can see that these sites are a widely used and valuable resource for people who use drugs in Edmonton.

There is a prevalent misconception that harm reduction practices result in simply providing people with drugs and enabling negative behaviours. However, as shown by AAWEAR’s work, harm reduction is an approach that aims to improve the overall well-being of people who use drugs. These individuals are given access to clean drug use supplies, but they are also provided with immediate subsistence needs, education, and support. These practices allow people who use drugs to make informed decisions, stay safe when they choose to use drugs, and improve their well-being.

Too often, discussions about drug use, harm reduction, and supervised consumption sites focus on the impact drug use has on the mainstream community—often depicting people who use drugs as dangerous and disruptive. This rhetoric describes people who use drugs as a threat to communities, when in reality they are part of our communities; helping them helps us all. There is a perception that supervised consumption services bring more drug use into a community, which causes harm to businesses and residents. But this perception is inaccurate. People who use drugs have been there the whole time; offering targeted services allows people to use drugs in a safe space rather than on the street, and it reduces the number of needles discarded in public spaces. As such, it increases safety not only for people who use drugs, but for other community members as well.

When we look at harm reduction through the lens of people who use drugs, we can understand how vital these services are. Harm reduction literally saves lives and does so in a way that upholds the dignity and inherent worth of people who use drugs. These individuals are not dangerous outsiders; they are our neighbours. Harm reduction-based services are essential to creating safe and thriving communities for all.

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June 7, 2021