Lloydminster‘s decision to remove benches from parts of downtown has drawn sharp criticism online, with some residents saying the move targets the city’s most vulnerable people.
City council voted Aug. 17 to direct administration to act on recommendations from the Safe + Inclusive Downtown Crime Prevention Program Sub-Committee of Downtown Lloydminster. Those recommendations include the temporary removal of benches and increased tree and shrub management, according to a city media release issued the next day.
Des Bissonnette said in a Facebook post the change makes downtown less welcoming for everyone, not just people experiencing homelessness.
“The City of Lloyd would rather spend time making downtown hostile to vulnerable people and regular people who like to sit on benches,” said Bissonnette.
“Absolute clownery,” she said.
“You know the reason I don’t shop downtown as much as the business owners downtown want? It’s not because of the unhoused, it’s because I hear and see how they talk about vulnerable people,” said Bissonnette.
“I don’t shop at stores owned by people with no empathy,” she said.
BorderPulse could not find any legal requirement under Saskatchewan or Alberta law, or under the Lloydminster Charter, that public benches be provided downtown for accessibility purposes.
Not every downtown voice sees it the same way. Dawn Hames, a downtown business owner, said the removed benches were rarely available to the people she said actually needed them.
“There are still lots of benches downtown, but a few have been removed from the hot spots,” said Hames.
Hames said the shift has changed the feel of her block.
“It now finally feels safe,” said Hames.
The benches now coming out were part of the city’s multi-million dollar Downtown Area Revitalization Plan. The project’s first phase was completed in 2023-24 and won a 2025 award from Economic Developers Alberta.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers said the goal is a downtown that works for everyone.
“Simply put, our downtown needs to be safe, clean and welcoming for everyone,” said Aalbers.
“We recognize the concerns being raised by downtown businesses and residents, and the city is taking action,” he said.
“We will continue using every appropriate tool available to us to improve public safety and address the impacts of social disruption in our community,” said Aalbers.
The city said it has expanded its downtown response in recent months through the Clean City Team and the Enforcement and Navigation Unit, known as the ENU. The city said the two programs have improved cleanliness, increased enforcement response and connected more people to available supports.
Residents and businesses can reach the ENU directly at 780-870-0440.
Council also directed administration to explore future programs to support, mitigate or respond to the effects of social disruption in the core.
The city said it will keep working with businesses, residents, enforcement agencies and social service organizations as more changes are made.
Read more: Lloydminster Revamp to start Monday
