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Cold Weather Strategy

The emergency homeless shelter providers of Winnipeg recognized that in times of extreme cold, special measures need to be taken to ensure that additional space is available and additional service is offered at the homeless shelters.

When the temperature reaches -20 Celsius (with the wind chill factor), and all emergency homeless shelters are full, the Cold Weather Policy is implemented to allow for an additional 65 residential spaces at The Salvation Army Booth Centre, utilizing common spaces such as lounges and dining areas.  The intent is that no one should have to be sleeping out in the cold during extreme weather conditions.  In some cases, the strategy supersedes the policies of the shelters regarding the refusal of admittance to clients.

This strategy was implemented in cooperation with the emergency homeless shelter providers who serve this community, as well as the Downtown Biz Outreach and the City of Winnipeg Police Service, who are integral partners with the emergency homeless shelter providers in delivering and communicating the Cold Weather Strategy.

The Province is very supportive of the agencies collaborating on a Cold Weather Strategy and works cooperatively with the emergency homeless shelters to evaluate the outcomes of this important cooperative initiative.

The Strategy is reviewed by the shelter providers each year, most recently in November 2010.