More shelter space coming, but some worry it is too late for Edmonton's vulnerable
Six people have died in encampments since the cold weather began, as the city and provincial governments prepare further shelter capacity.
On Wednesday, the Edmonton Police Service confirmed officers removed a body around 1:30 p.m. from a tent across the street from the Mustard Seed Church. Investigators say it was non-criminal in nature.
At the same time, city council was hearing about the crisis from advocate Judith Gale.
"These are our brothers and sisters and they're dying at a fast rate," Gale told councillors.
Five others have died in encampments between Oct. 12 and Nov. 30, the city confirmed to CTV News Edmonton.
A day later, outreach workers with Boyle Street Community Services make their daily rounds checking on people experiencing homelessness in the downtown core.
They offer warm clothing, food, water and other supplies to help people cope.
Ken, a volunteer with the Mustard Seed, was also out offering warm drinks.
"We try to do what we can," he told CTV News Edmonton. "Whatever we can do to help them out. They tough it out.
"It's not easy," Ken added. "They have nowhere else to go."
'WHY WAIT UNTIL THIS HAPPENS?'
Council approved $7.5 million to open a 200-space shelter in a west-end hotel, but the space won't be ready for around a month as the operator prepares staffing and logistic needs.
The city called on the province to do more. On Thursday, the press secretary for the community and social service minister said 150 more shelter spaces are coming in addition to the 450 beds previously announced in October.
Demand for indoor overnight shelter space spikes on cold nights. The Hope Mission says 800 people stayed in its shelters Wednesday, representing 87 per cent of all available beds in the city. Al Rashid Mosque told CTV News Edmonton that it housed 48 people on Tuesday and 38 the day after.
Ken is disappointed that the city will have to "go through a few deaths" before additional shelter space is available.
"It seems like every year is the same," Ken said. "Plan for it. Why wait until this happens? Why wait until the end of December or January to start bringing them indoors? It's unfortunate."
"My heart just goes out for them," he said. "There's tents everywhere (downtown). They're losing limbs from frostbite, just from the elements."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
Attracting, retaining pilots an ongoing issue in Canada: industry analysts
Retirements, high training costs and poor pay are fuelling a pilot shortage in Canada, industry analysts say, at a time when travel has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession.
China accuses U.S. of indiscriminate use of force over balloon
China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it 'seriously impacted and damaged both sides' efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.'
BoC's first summary of deliberations coming this week. Here's what to expect
The Bank of Canada is set to publish its first summary of deliberations Wednesday, giving Canadians a peak into the governing council's reasoning behind its decision to raise interest rates last month.
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony's most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday's show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honour.
Charles Kimbrough, best known for role in 'Murphy Brown,' dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on 'Murphy Brown,' died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. He was 86.
Advocates come together to help sailors stuck for months on tugboats in Quebec port
Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.
4 Americans, 2 Canadians fined $50K for illegal moose hunting in northern Ont.
An investigation that lasted almost two years has resulted in moose hunting violation convictions for six people and a lodge in Red Lake in northwestern Ontario.
Calgary
-
'Absolute nightmare': Calgarians call attention to the children unable to leave Ukraine
A group of Calgarians gathered along Memorial Drive Sunday to draw attention to what they call "disgusting" treatment of Ukrainian children.
-
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Another warm spell hits Calgary
If you're driving through Balzac today, give Billy the nod.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon city greenhouses on the verge of being condemned: report
Saskatoon will no longer supply its own flowers for its summer flowerpots and garden beds, according to a report before city councillors this week.
-
Sask. man dead following snowmobile collision
A person is dead following a snowmobile collision near Candle Lake early Sunday morning.
-
'A big part of my childhood': Regina student brings Lego to life through stop-motion animation
Jayson Reddekopp has been a Lego collector since he was a kid. Now in his second year of university, he’s bringing his passion to life using just his Lego pieces and an iPhone.
Regina
-
'Need some flexibility': Sask. premier in Ottawa for health meetings
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe flew to Ottawa on Sunday ahead of the first ministers meeting regarding healthcare funding scheduled for this week.
-
Regina's Kelly Knapp wins SaskTel Tankard
Regina’s Kelly Knapp defeated Swift Current’s Steve Laycock 5-4 in the final of the SaskTel Tankard in Estevan, Sask. on Sunday and will represent Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ont. from March 3 to 12.
-
Sask. man dead following snowmobile collision
A person is dead following a snowmobile collision near Candle Lake early Sunday morning.
Atlantic
-
Several Maritime schools closed after frigid weekend, thousands without power in N.S.
Thousands of Nova Scotians are without power Monday morning following frigid temperatures and high winds over the weekend.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
-
Cape Breton University, striking faculty reach tentative agreement
Striking faculty members at Cape Breton University have reached a tentative agreement with the university.
Toronto
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
-
Three people rescued after falling through ice near Toronto Islands
Three people are now in the care of paramedics after a skating mishap on Lake Ontario Monday morning.
Montreal
-
Arson squad investigating building fire in Pierrefonds early Monday morning
A commercial establishment in northwest Montreal was the target of an apparent arson attack early Monday morning. The damage caused by the fire was not significant, and there were no injuries, according to the Montreal Police Department (SPVM).
-
Hydro-Quebec executive vice-president Eric Filion goes to Bombardier
Hydro-Quebec's executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Eric Filion, is joining his former boss at Bombardier. Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel, who formerly headed Hydro-Québec, announced Monday that Filion will join his management team.
-
Over 1,500 Hydro-Quebec customers still without power in Montreal
In Montreal, more than 1,500 Hydro-Quebec customers remain without power, and more than 2,500 were in the dark as of around 7:45 p.m Sunday. Of the service interruptions in Montreal, a handful were in the Parc-Extension area Sunday afternoon, where Daniella Zanetti witnessed a power line explosion that sparked a fire on Saturday night.
Ottawa
-
Powerful earthquake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 1,300
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and Syria early Monday, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing more than 1,300 people. Hundreds were still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers searched mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area.
-
Eastern Ontario town council to debate mandatory oath to King Charles
The debate on elected officials pledging allegiance to King Charles III will shift to a small town south of Ottawa this week, as Prescott town council discusses a motion on whether to abolish the requirement for newly elected members.
-
Here's how you can have your say on the 2023 city of Ottawa budget
Councillors will be hosting draft budget consultation sessions between Feb. 6 and 20, while each city committee will hear from the public before approving the budgets.
Kitchener
-
Woolwich man arrested for alleged death threats to local MP
Waterloo regional police have arrested a Woolwich man after death threats were allegedly made to a local Member of Parliament online.
-
Jacob Hespeler Secondary School closed for Monday due to flooding
The first day of the second semester will be pushed back for students at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge.
-
Most read stories of the week: Conestoga Mall robbery, house explosion hearing, cancelled Valentine's Day
An armed robbery at Conestoga Mall, a hearing on a 2018 Kitchener house explosion, and a school cancelling Valentine's Day round out the most ready stories of the week.
Northern Ontario
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Two arrested in Kapuskasing police investigation, schools closed
Schools in the northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing are closed Monday after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a threat resulting in two arrests.
-
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
Winnipeg
-
‘Those are memories you retain for a long, long time’: Main and Matheson Salisbury House up for sale
An iconic remnant of a beloved Manitoba restaurant chain is now on the market.
-
'Come home to mama': Family seek help in finding missing 14-year-old girl
The family of a 14-year-old girl missing for the last two weeks in Winnipeg is putting out a desperate plea for information.
-
Bonnie Raitt wins Grammy for cover of Manitoba band's song
American singer Bonnie Raitt took home three Grammy Awards this weekend, including one for a cover she did of a Manitoba band’s song.
Vancouver
-
‘It's my only wish’: Grieving Surrey mother still waiting for justice in daughter's slaying
Two years after a young woman in Surrey was gunned down, her family says they still waiting for justice.
-
'I want to bring Blockbuster back': B.C. teen creates free movie lending library
Tucked away on a residential street in Langley, there's a blue cabinet filled with VHS tapes and DVDs bearing the once-familiar logo of Blockbuster video.
-
Vancouver council set to provide $2.8M funding boost for city’s mental health services
The City of Vancouver will be providing $2.8 million in funding to the local health authority to bolster the city’s mental health services, officials announced Sunday.
Vancouver Island
-
5-month suspension for Victoria nurse who 'falsified a medical record'
A Victoria nurse has been suspended for five months for failing to adequately assess a patient and then falsifying a medical record regarding the assessment.
-
B.C. man overcomes 'nightmare' burns to create 'dream come true' life
When he was 18, John Westhaver was the sole survivor of a crash the killed three friends and left him with life-threatening burns. His journey since then has taken him from anger to love.
-
VicPD warns of road closures during B.C. Throne Speech
Several streets around the B.C. legislature building in downtown Victoria will be closed on Monday during the annual Throne Speech.