Cooling centres in northwestern Ontario prepare as another summer heatwave is in the forecast

Cooling centres across northwestern Ontario are preparing their facilities to better respond to increasingly rising temperatures.

This preparation comes after Environment Canada issued several heat warnings for the western part of the region, including Thunder Bay, last weekend, with another round of near 30 C temperatures expected next weekend. 

The rest of the week is expected to have milder temperatures, averaging at most around the low to mid-20s. 

Meteorologist Victoria Nurse of Environment and Climate Change Canada recommends residents limit sun exposure and schedule activities early in the morning or later in the evening.

Kyle Arnold, co-ordinator for People Advocating for Change Through Empowerment (PACE), said they're bracing to be ready to help people who need relief. 

"With the hot temperatures coming in, we are seeing a demand with clients coming to the cooling centre looking for drinks, looking for cold snacks and just looking for a place where they can cool off in a safe environment." 

He said many of their clients live in encampments and shelters in the city, making it hard for them to find a safe space to stay cool in the daytime and the heatwave only increases this risk.

He offered a few other ways for those unable to attend the centre to take precautions to stay cool.

"I just encourage them to find cool spaces where they can stay out of the heat because heat stroke is real," he said. "And as we've seen, the temperatures are rising. If they can get into the lake, get into the lake and just make sure to wear proper hats and proper footwear to protect them from the heat."

He said PACE has trained staff to be ready for a summer surge in clients. 

However, Arnold added it's important for other agencies to still do their best to support the cooling centres across the city.

"I just want the public to know that once again, another summer has come and PACE is here trying to support the city's most vulnerable and that we need that continual help from local agencies and local donators, with especially water and cool snacks."

Lack of staff can make tense situations worse

Other centres with limited staff struggle during extreme heat. 

"We deal with some of the most high-risk people in the community," said Yvonne Bearbull, the executive director of the Kenora Fellowship Centre.

"And that definitely has an impact on staff and staffing. We try to continue to provide consistent service to the patrons every day by opening our doors at 8 a.m. and having a place for people to come, a safe space."

With the aid of donations, their centre provides many services to comfort people in the extreme heat, including water bottles, T-shirts, deodorant, hair accessories, shade for people sitting outside and showers to wash up.

She said staff try their best to advise people about the effects of the heat on themselves and ask people to watch out for each other.

"We deal with a lot of people who are under-housed and trying to find shade and comfort. Sometimes it's just [enough] to have some patience with some people who are facing a lot of challenges," said Bearbull.

Even with the heat, she said the centre will continue to hold its friendship fire to support its patrons.

"We sat with people in a circle just always trying to provide as much emotional support to people as we can, making them feel that they have a place to belong and that they're always welcome to the circle," said Bearbull.

"And that we try to walk in a good way with the patrons. You know it goes a long way when you're welcoming and willing to share space with people."

Now, she said, they are working on installing an air conditioner and putting up fans to keep people cool.

"There's so much good work and help within the Kenora region that we're really thankful for and that together, we can all help people get through this heat wave."