Stop the Destruction of Downtown Red Deer!

We are all very aware of the problems that the Gov't of Alberta and the City of Red Deer have inflicted on us by placing the Temporary Homeless Shelter and the Overdose Prevention Site where they currently operate in downtown Red Deer. We probably all have stories and have witnessed first hand the carnage and the disaster that has been negligently placed on us by the City and the Province. From public defecation to vandalism to needle debris to violent altercations with homeless people and drug users, the list goes on. Worse yet, we are faced with properties and businesses that nobody wants to lease or visit because of the unsafe and disgusting environment that has been created. And our pleas for help to our City Council and our Mayor go unanswered and are not dealt with no matter how bad things get. The promises of a permanent integrated shelter have been dangled in front of us for 3 to 4 years in hopes that it will appease us for a while longer and buy Council and the Alberta Gov't more time, but still no action! Even if the City of Red Deer announces tomorrow that a site has been chosen for the permanent shelter, it will be at least another 3 years or more until we will see some relief from the crime, trespassing, financial strain, and mental anguish we are being subjected to because of the delay tactics and inability to make things happen. 

By signing this petition, I agree that I will be withholding my property taxes from the City of Red Deer in 2024 and beyond until an acceptable concrete plan, timeline, and implementation date are presented for the relocation of the Homeless Shelter and the closure of the current location of the Overdose Prevention Site by the City of Red Deer and the Government of Alberta.  I am a property owner in Downtown Red Deer and I can no longer tolerate or afford to operate property in this problem environment that the Province and City have created.

Leon Oosterhoff & Tracy Chabot    Contact the author of the petition