Deaths

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) reports that the tally of 421 homeless deaths more than doubles the total of 2022. The ECOHH numbers don't jive with data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who reported 302 recorded deaths in 2023, up from the 200 deaths.OCME's mandate is very specific and Jim Gurnett with ECOHH says numbers provided by OCME don’t include the number of people who died directly or indirectly as a result of homelessness.

Its not surprising that there is a discrepancy between the numbers reported by ECOHH and those of OCME.Works more closely and is probably more in tune with what's happening on the street while OCME is probably more clinical and not so tuned into the street. Regardless of their differences the numbers of people dying is way too high.

Every quarter a memorial is held to commemorate the people who have died in the Boyle Street. On Monday a memorial was held in a small courtyard to commemorate the passing of 118 people the highest number in a quarter since 2020. The major cause of death was opioid poisoning, more men died than women and Indigenous people were over-represented.

Even though there are a number of well intentioned individuals, groups and organizations who offer aid and countless dollars from different levels of government and other sources that are funneled to the Boyle Street area, the numbers of deceased at these memorials continues to rise. Unfortunately Edmonton's story is being experienced in communities across the globe and as yet an effective answer has alluded them.