Alberta minister says ‘human error’ saw detainees dropped off in Edmonton streets

Alberta’s Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis has acknowledged that the recent release of former prisoners in Edmonton’s downtown area was due to "human error." The incidents, captured on surveillance videos, have raised concerns among local officials, residents, and business owners in Edmonton’s Chinatown. Mayor Andrew Knack pressed Ellis for answers and promised further investigation.

Knack emphasized the disconnect between what is believed to be the standard process and what is actually happening. Ellis reiterated that these incidents were not part of the province’s usual protocol, stating that in both cases, it was "human error." He expressed his opposition to dropping people off without proper support, emphasizing the need for a warm handoff in the province’s recovery-focused system.

Corrections Alberta has pledged to take measures to prevent similar drop-offs, but has not provided details. Dylan Bressey, the president of the Alberta Municipalities, highlighted the issue in communities near correctional facilities, noting that these released individuals often lack adequate social services, creating social chaos and imposing costs on local services.