Cabinet minister says Edmonton mayor's plan to declare homelessness emergency won't work

An Alberta cabinet minister has denounced the mayor of Edmonton's plan to declare a housing and homelessness emergency, calling it "bizarre" and "a complete political stunt."

An Alberta cabinet minister has denounced the mayor of Edmonton's plan to declare a housing and homelessness emergency, calling it "bizarre" and "a complete political stunt."

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said in a statement Thursday that he plans to make a motion to declare a city-wide emergency at a special city council meeting on Monday.

"It is clear what we are doing now is not making the progress we hoped for," Sohi said.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said Sohi's declaration, issued while the mayor was on vacation, would not help individuals in trouble or create more resources.

"It would not change the situation at all," Nixon said.

"[Sohi's] bizarre decision to talk about having a state of emergency ... that will have no effect, that will not help any individuals that will be in trouble, [it] will not create any more resources and it's just a complete political stunt."