Emergency responders, shelter want cold weather strategy in Yorkton; City open to committee
A new homeless shelter in Yorkton has shown the need for more warm-up locations in the city, along with the possible implementation of a cold weather strategy.
That’s according to multiple agencies dealing with Yorkton’s vulnerable community, with Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley open to exploring its options.
“A committee is a really good idea. If we have enough interest, we would certainly look at that,” he told CTV News Wednesday.
Angela Chernoff is the shelter coordinator at Bruno’s Place, and said on weekends, the shelter has been full. Typically during the week, two to six individuals are housed at the shelter.
However, as the cold kicks in, it’s created added needs for the vulnerable community.
Chernoff said a cold weather strategy would be helpful, specifically with one resource to help out.
“I would like to see definitely a map put out. Something online that people can just look up and go, ‘Here’s the safe locations where you can go and warm up,’” she said.
RCMP said prior to Bruno’s Place opening, it would have to serve individuals by going through Social Services to get them a room and a warm meal.
Yorkton Detachment Commander Sgt. Burton Jones added that the shelter’s presence has changed the way his officers deal with these situations.
“With Bruno’s Place, it kind of fills that void, right? It's a warm place for them to go, where they can get a place to sleep but also a place to get something to eat,” he said.
EMS has not seen major issues early on this year, but they are preparing for it, according to Kelly Prime, Crestvue Ambulance Paramedic Chief.
He said his teams have dealt with everything, from minor frostbite to serious, life-altering conditions caused by the cold.
“We've seen some severe cases where it’s led to amputations. People have gone out in clothes, like in the minus 50 weather and have walked a far distance to try to get to shelter, and then needed EMS and needed police,” Prime said.
Moving forward, Bruno’s Place, along with Crestvue and Yorkton RCMP believe a cold weather strategy would be beneficial to all those in the community.
With added pressures of inflation, to a lack of hospital capacity, it is all creating additional needs for first responders, and those within Yorkton’s most vulnerable.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.