Saskatoon's Cold Weather Strategy makes sure everyone has a place to warm up

Finding shelter can quickly turn into a life or death matter in Saskatchewan's frigid winter, when the wind chill drops below -30 C in Saskatoon a group launches into action.

Frontline workers and emergency service providers prepare to give shelter and create contingency plans to make sure people can stay warm, even those previously banned from a service.

It's is all part of Saskatoon's Cold Weather Strategy. Shaun Dyck, who is also the executive director of the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership, oversees the program.

Dyck said he knows people in the city who have lost toes to frostbite.

"We need to stop this and people need to know there's options for them," Dyck told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

'It's busy. It's really busy'

Dyck said there are 11 places people can go to warm up in the city, with the Lighthouse and Salvation Army open 24/7.

"It's busy. It's really busy. We know that there's lineups say at the public library downtown, there's people waiting to get in. The shelters have been at capacity, over capacity since fall. So there's demand," he says.

Saskatoon Transit has been helping out for more than a decade with a Safe Bus Policy.

Even if someone doesn't have bus fare, they can wave down a bus or stay at a bus stop and tell the bus driver they're in need of help or shelter. The bus driver then has a responsibility to contact emergency services, Dyck said.

This is available to anyone, whether they don't have a place to stay or just headed outdoors to walk somewhere and realized they were not safely dressed for the weather, Dyck said.

How to help?

Dyck said you can help by donating spare winter clothes. Mitts, gloves, jackets, boots and other winter wear can go to places like the Lighthouse, Food Bank or YWCA.

"All of these places are in need of donations. So there's probably something in your closet. I'd suggest just checking, digging through and if you don't need it, if you haven't used it in a year you're probably not going to need it," Dyck says.

Strategy details

Saskatoon's Cold Weather Strategy states that people should have a bed or a cot to sleep on, not a mat on the floor or a chair. It also says families and couples should be able to stay together.

Saskatchewan also has a Cold Weather Strategy.

In Regina, Mobile Crisis Services provides services and referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached at 306-757-0127. 

In Saskatoon, the Salvation Army is at 306-244-6280.

In Prince Albert, Prince Albert Mobile Crisis is available after hours at 306-764-1011 and will connect callers with shelter supports.  YWCA after-hours emergency services for men and women at Our House (15th Street Location) are available by calling 306-922-6162.