Update: December 22, 2022 – The City of Cranbrook has released a statement which indicates recent public statements on two or more people dying in the community due to cold exposure from the recent cold snap is false.
A temporary overnight warming centre is available at Cranbrook’s Alliance Church Thursday night.
Click here for more information, or view the City of Cranbrook’s statement below:
The recent public statement by local organizations regarding two or more deaths in Cranbrook due to exposure to the cold (for lack of homeless shelter space) made in December 2022 is false.
There have not been any deaths due to exposure to cold in Cranbrook during this weather event. This information is fact-checked, and has been confirmed by both Interior Health and the BC Coroner Service, and is accurate as of today (December 22, 2022).
Making false public statements about deaths and insinuating their causes distresses residents and discredits the City of Cranbrook and the people and organizations working hard to support the homeless population. This behaviour is disappointing and unnecessary as the community works together to help those in need.
Thank you to the many groups, organizations and individuals for their giving and ongoing support of our vulnerable population during this time.
BC Housing through Community Connections and the Travelodge provides shelter space for the vulnerable population, including cold weather. Since the opening of the warming centre at the Alliance Church, ten individuals have used the space available to get out of the cold. Six individuals used the space on Tuesday, December 20, and four individuals used the space on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
The City, along with our community partners remain concerned about the impact of the cold on our vulnerable population this winter. We will actively monitor the weather conditions through the winter months and continue to offer our support to third-party groups and non-profit organizations in order to provide warming centres and spaces as necessary for those who may need it.
Original Post: December 20, 2022 – Kootenay East’s MLA is calling on the City of Cranbrook and local stakeholders to establish a warming centre in the community amid cooler temperatures.
Tom Shypitka says he was made aware that a person died due to exposure to cold in the community recently, and he says a warming centre is needed to help those who are at risk of exposure to the elements.
“Sadly enough, we saw a fatality not too long ago due to exposure,” Shypitka says. “This is everything that shouldn’t be in a society. It’s heartbreaking to tell you the honest truth, and especially at this time of year when we’re supposed to be coming together.”
Shypitka says space is needed for about 10 to 15 people, and he wants the community to put its minds together to establish a temporary warming centre.
He says there are a lot of public and private spaces which could be utilized to provide a safe place for those who are at risk of exposure to extreme cold.
“Whether it’s a private space or a public space, we surely can find a solution to makeshift a location that people can go and keep warm, and not be exposed to the elements,” says Shypitka.
In Kimberley, the public library is open for anybody who needs to escape the cold throughout the week.
Find Shypitka’s letter to mayor Wayne Price, BC Housing and Community Connections below:
As we all know this province is in a dire housing crisis. This crisis becomes very real when it touches our local communities due to very high rental and costs to acquire a home that provides shelter from the elements. When the elements become extreme, as they are now, this reality becomes critical when we hear of an apparent recent death due to exposure.
I know this is simply not acceptable for anyone and we need immediate solutions (within days) to go along with any mid to long-term fixes.
Simply put, we need an immediate warming centre inside the municipality of Cranbrook for those most vulnerable who are falling through the cracks of what is available to those in need now.
I had a conversation today with a resource worker and we are needing space for 10 to 15 individuals. These people have a really good chance of being exposed to very cold temperatures that will lead to frost bite, potentially amputation and possibly death. These are human beings in need of a place to keep warm just to survive. The time to act is now.
Let’s put our collective minds together for an appropriate “temporary warming centre location” to get us through the next month. Then we can focus on mid to long term solutions. I can also assist on local awareness to provide local funding to maintain this service.
I leave this letter open for all to share ideas immediately before we lose another resident.
– Tom Shypitka – Kootenay East MLA (Article contains letter from Tom Shypitka & link from City of Kimberley)
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