iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

People coming to my office should know what to expect.

Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Efforts to identify early intervention shifts the focus from responding to violence after it occurs to preventing it before it starts. 3/3

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

... there is a trajectory of a rising number of interactions with police. This may provide the opportunity for well-timed police or other interventions to prevent the violence before it starts. 2/3

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Being charged with a criminal offence involving domestic violence often follows years of interactions with police. Observing patterns of police contact before that criminal charge, we reveal that for the majority of men, 1/3 spp.ucalgary.ca/sites/defaul...

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

These data suggest shelter use is unlikely to be dominated by serious drug users or people with serious mental health issues. Shelter users are seemingly resilient to their loss of housing. Poverty is the most likely explanation for them having to make short term use of shelters. 3/3

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The chart shows lengths of stay in shelter for 3,771 single individuals who entered Calgary's homeless shelter system for the first time in 2024. There is a lot of turnover in the shelter population every day. This is important for understanding what are appropriate responses to homelessness. 2/3

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

How long do people remain in homeless shelters? Not long. In a report released today, I show that in Calgary 30% of people new to the homeless shelter system stay just that one night. Two-thirds stay for 10 nights or less. 1/3 spp.ucalgary.ca/sites/defaul...

spp.ucalgary.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

“Shocked” is the word. And no, I am not raising your grade after all this time.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I guess I should tell you the red line is program expenditures while the green line measures personal income tax revenue.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Those are millions of nominal dollars. I suggest that if the "influencer" feels that way, he should self deport. Actually, I encourge it.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The other day an "influencer" suggested immigrants be sent away b/c what they pay in income tax does not cover the cost of Alberta govt expenditures. Here's a graph of provincial program spending versus income tax revenue. No Albertan pays in income tax anywhere near the cost of public services.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

In 2023, Bathhurst NB was the community in Canada where single people were most at risk of homelessness. Amongst large cities, the risk of homlessness was greatest in Toronto and lowest in Montreal. 2/2

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

After a summer hiatus, Rita Wilkins and I are back with our monthly edition of Social Policy Trends. This month, we report on how the risk of homelessness depends on where one lives. 1/2 spp.ucalgary.ca/sites/defaul...

spp.ucalgary.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

So, in my country this is illegal. Is it not in yours??

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Yeah, I’m eating your tree, what are you going to do about it?

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

For gawd's sake, as him who won the 2024 election.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Policy approaches to prevent homelessness requires a measure of what income leaves one at greatest risk. Colleague Rita Wilkins and I are pleased that our HICO measure is being used in a proposal for a new Housing Benefit. caeh.ca/transforming...

caeh.ca

Transforming the Canada Housing Benefit to Prevent Homelessness

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness is proposing a transformed Canada Housing Benefit that could reduce homelessness by more than 60%.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Have taken Edmonton to Toronto (and back) a few times. If they could stick to some sort of schedule (😒) I would gladly take more time and enjoy the trip over the flying. Yes, food, staff, scenery are great.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This is what will be humming the next time I listen to the Orange Moron spew bile from his gob.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

One presumes he’ll use a sharpie and scrawl across the whole of the bill. Where are those checks and balances I have heard about?

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Maybe you could read the article or maybe even read the paper - it's not a difficult read - to find out what it actually says.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Contrary to some recent suggestions, Alberta does not have bear unreasonable costs -- either absolutely or in comparison to other provinces -- from providing social assistance. www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u... @vibrantcalgary.bsky.social

policyschool.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Do you actually have something useful to say about homelessness? Great! Then come say it at the 9th Annual Data That Makes A Difference conference, May 27 and 28 in Calgary. @policyschool.bsky.social mailchi.mp/calgaryhomel...

mailchi.mp

Data That Makes a Difference – Call for Presenters!

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Every New Year's Eve I remind myself of this passage from The Dead and think of those I have lost. This year, it was my Mom.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The social safety net has many holes that charitable organizations constantly try to repair. If you are able, they appreciate your support. All the best for the holidays from the social policy research team at the School of Public Policy. www.policyschool.ca 2/2

policyschool.ca

The School of Public Policy

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

This month, Social Policy Trends looks back on the work we have done during 2025. The social safety net is intended to catch people before they fall too far or too hard and in this way give them a chance to recover. 1/2 www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

policyschool.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

No kidding. I guess there’s a business case after all. How much did the stupidity of the past 10 years cost Canada and Canadians?

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

That's a great thing to be thinking about. Govts tend to focus "employment growth" strategies on large employers and high-tech industries. My guess is that the effectiveness of those strategies for poverty reduction pale in comparison to strategies that support small retailers and employers.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

This month Social Policy Trends reminds us that anti-poverty initiatives and policies to encourage employment growth are both effective ways of reducing poverty. Pursuing one strategy to the exclusion of the other can leave important gains unrealized. www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

policyschool.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Between 2016 and 2023, the number of domestic violence beds have increased by 55% in Toronto, 95% in Calgary, 115% in Montreal, and 163% Vancouver. Increase in demand for additional spaces in domestic violence shelters represents one of the unexpected consequences and costs of the housing crisis. /4

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

But if no housing is to be found, women and their children are forced to remain in what was supposed to be temporary shelter. In response, providers have had to dramatically increase the number of beds they provide and to accommodate longer stays. 3/4

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

High rents and the housing shortage they signal make it more difficult for women and children to escape their abusers. Fortunately, domestic violence shelters are available to provide temporary housing while more permanent housing is sought. 2/4

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

After a short hiatus, Social Policy Trends is back! This month we describe how the housing crisis impacts the victims of domestic violence and the organizations that provide them with temporary shelter. 1/4 www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

policyschool.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

It would catch me eating peanut butter straight from the jar with a spoon.

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Reposted by Ron Kneebone

Courtney Theriault @ctheriault.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Immigration expert Robert Falconer says Alberta’s immigration survey is vague on which services could be withheld and could include essentials like health care. He says it may have “serious implications" and that the term "non-citizen" could even mean PR holders podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s...

podcasts.apple.com

Should Alberta withhold social services for immigrants?

Podcast Episode · The Courtney Theriault Show · 2025-06-25 · 9m

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Data on food bank use is an underappreciated source of information on the rising risk of homelessness and offers a way of possibly preventing some forms of homelessness before it begins. /fin

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

An implication is that for many individuals and families, homelessness is the end result of a steady worsening of one's circumstances. Knowing this, policymakers and service agencies have the opportunity to apply well-timed interventions to prevent homelessness from happening.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

In the year immediately prior to entering a homeless shelter, reliance on a food bank increased by over 70% relative to 5 years prior.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

In the study, we observed how the same people make use of both food banks and homeless shelters. The data reveal that in the 5 years prior to entering a homeless shelter for the first time, reliance on a food bank steadily increased.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

For those who like their policy studies in bite-sized pieces, today the social policy research team at the School of Public Policy has released a one-page description of a key result from a recent research paper. This is part of our Social Policy Trends series. 🧵 www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

policyschool.ca

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Taking advantage of this opportunity requires greater attention being paid to the common experiences of individuals and families relying on food banks and those facing the threat of homelessness. /fin

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

An implication of this result is that for many, homelessness is the end result of a steady worsening of one's circumstances. Knowing this, policymakers and service agencies have the opportunity to apply well-timed interventions to prevent homelessness from happening.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

With these data, we show that for many individuals and families, losing housing follows a large increase in food bank use over the preceding 5 years.

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Ron Kneebone @ronkneebone.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Today, we released a study linking two administrative datasets, one describing the use of food banks, the other describing the use of homeless shelters. 🧵 www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/u...

policyschool.ca

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