January 31, 2022
The City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response to help keep vulnerable Edmontonians safe during the cold weather expected in the coming days.
The activation includes increased capacity on Edmonton Transit Service’s overnight shuttle to shelters and the temporary expansion of emergency shelter space.
Transportation
- Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) will add capacity to its shuttle service that connects transit centres, emergency shelters, and other critical locations. The service runs between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. ETS continues to allow people who choose not to stay in a shelter to remain on the bus to keep warm for the duration of the service.
Expanded Overnight Shelter
- During the extreme weather response, Commonwealth Stadium Shelter and Spectrum Shelter will both increase shelter capacity from 150 to 200 beds.
Day Services/Shelter
- Boyle Street Community Services will increase day shelter capacity to 75 people between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The activation of the extreme weather response is expected to run until the weather improves.
Sector Emergency Response
The activation is part of the Sector Emergency Response. The response runs every year from November 30 to April 1 and provides expanded shelter and services to those experiencing homelessness.
The Sector Emergency Response is a collaboration between the City, Homeward Trust and more than 25 system and partner agencies working together to keep our vulnerable citizens safe and warm every night. The City and partners determine when it’s appropriate to activate the City’s extreme weather response considering weather conditions and existing capacity within community spaces for people experiencing homelessness to safely shelter.
In 2019, City Council approved a policy that formalizes and clarifies the City’s role in the system-wide response to supporting vulnerable Edmontonians during extreme weather conditions.
What Citizens Can Do
- Learn to recognize the signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, or slurred speech; and a person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing
- Call 911 for someone in serious distress or in cases of emergency
- Call 211, press 3 for 24/7 Crisis Diversion non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health
- Our quick reference tool has steps you can take to help someone during the winter months.
