Breaking the Cycle:
Legal Education and Reform for Criminalized Communities
Across Alberta, poverty and homelessness are increasingly met with fines and tickets rather than support.
For those living in the margins, "survival activities" like resting in public or jaywalking can lead to thousands of dollars in debt, creating insurmountable barriers to housing and employment.
Data highlights the disproportionate nature of these systems. For example, Indigenous people represent approximately 10% of Alberta's population but consistently make up a significantly higher percentage of the unhoused and incarcerated populations. These communities, alongside youth and 2STQLGBIA+ individuals, report that enforcement practices often feel like profiling rather than public safety. Breaking the Cycle is a province-wide response designed to shift the narrative from punishment to dignity.
What We Are Doing
Over the next 18 months, we are engaging in a four-pillar strategy to reform how bylaws impact Albertans:
1. Community-Led Research
We aren't just studying these issues; we are documenting them through the eyes of those affected in six Alberta communities:
Arts-Based Sessions: Storytelling through beading, collage, and creative expression.
Community Outreach: JHC researchers engaging directly with people on the ground.
Data Requests: Utilizing ATIA/FOIP requests to gain transparency into municipal enforcement habits.
2. Legal Rights Education
To reduce fear and increase safety during law enforcement interactions, we will:
Deliver 10 workshops (online and in-person) focused on police/peace officer interactions.
Produce wallet cards, phone lock-screens, and posters with plain-language legal rights.
Focus on healing-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally respectful communication.
3. Long-Term Resource Creation
We are building tools that live beyond the project’s end date:
3,000–4,000 printed resources for distribution via shelters and mutual aid networks.
6 Digital Stories co-created with Indigital Media to humanize the data.
Facilitator Toolkits to empower frontline organizations to lead their own training.
4. Policy Advocacy & Reform
We will bridge the gap between community reality and legislative policy by:
Publishing a Public Research Report on fine accumulation.
Hosting Two Regional Policy Roundtables (North and South Alberta) with justice stakeholders.
Who We Support
This project serves those most impacted by the criminalization of poverty:
Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: Those penalized for simply existing in public spaces.
At-Risk Youth: Specifically Indigenous, racialized, and 2STQLGBIA+ youth (ages 16–29).
People with Disabilities: Those facing barriers to navigating complex legal systems.
Frontline Workers: Providing the tools needed to advocate for their clients.
Get Involved
Community partners are the heart of this work. Whether you are a shelter, a youth program, or a grassroots mutual aid team, we invite you to collaborate with us in hosting workshops, recruiting participants, and distributing resources. Contact info@jhcentre.org to learn more and connect with us.
Take the Frontline Partner Survey for Shelters, Outreach Teams, and Grassroots Organizations
Frontline organizations and grassroots teams see the daily impact of the "cycle of criminalization." We are collecting your insights to understand how enforcement, including fines, displacement from encampments, and the accumulation of systemic debt, affects the stability, housing, and well-being of the people you support.
Take the Community Member Research Survey for Individuals Affected by Enforcement Practices
Your voice matters, and your story can drive change.
Across Alberta, people are being fined or ticketed simply for existing in public spaces. The JHC is gathering experiences to challenge these practices and push for policies that end the criminalization of poverty.
You are invited to take a survey that is:
🛡️ Anonymous.
✋ Voluntary.
🔒 Secure—never shared with police or the city.
Take the survey and help build a fairer system. Plus, opt in to win 1 of 5 $100 gift cards as a thank-you.