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
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Canadian government proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.