This report is Volume 4 of the study of the causes and effects of homelessness. It provides background information on the homeless population and relevant government policies in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. The information has been used to provide a comparison with the homelessness situation in British Columbia in Volume 2, A Profile, Policy Review and Analysis of Homelessness in British Columbia. The data is based primarily on published reports. Volume 1 of this study is entitled The Relationship between Homelessness and the Health, Social Services and Criminal Justice Systems: A Review of the Literature. Volume 3 is entitled The Costs of Homelessness in British Columbia.