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Harsh winter conditions have gripped northeast B.C., with temperatures expected to drop below –30 C.
A low of –33 is expected tonight, with a wind chill pushing to –40. People could suffer from “frostbite in minutes,” according to an Environment and Climate Change Canada outlook.
Despite this, there are no official warming centres in Fort St. John, and the city says it has no plans to open one.
“This is a provincial responsibility. We previously received provincial funding that was used to operate a warming shelter in partnership with community partners,” wrote Ryan Harvey, communications manager for the City of Fort St. John by email.
He added city recreational facilities, such as the Pomeroy Sport Centre and North Peace Leisure Pool, are and will be available to the public during operational hours.
The warming centre previously run by the city and community partners closed in 2024 after Northern Health temporarily took over operations.
Northern Health says its operation of that warming centre was intended to ensure continuity of services for the community, but noted warming centres do not typically fall within its mandate.
The health authority is not eligible for funding to provide the service, and says it too has no plans to reopen a centre in Fort St. John.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness says local authorities like the City of Fort St. John are eligible for reimbursement of costs related to opening and running warming centres.
According to the Ministry’s website, reimbursement is available when Environment Canada issues an extreme weather alert, including warnings, watches, advisories, and special weather statements.
The website further notes that reimbursement is also available when “thresholds for action outlined in the community’s cold weather response plan are met”.
No warnings for extreme weather are currently in effect for the Fort St. John area.
Warm Welcome Fort St. John
In a parking lot downtown, volunteers are doing what they can to keep those who are experiencing homelessness warm.
Warm Welcome, a grassroots initiative started by Kristen Goold, offers a warming fire, winter clothing, hot drinks, and friendly faces to those in need two days a week.
“If I have the opportunity to give back to my community, I’m going to. Because when I came here, I got a lot of help and a lot of support,” said Goold.
Facing high rental prices and unable to support herself, Goold began living out of her car in Kelowna in 2022, staying at campgrounds and anywhere her car could take her.
Now safely housed, Goold said she’s able to help others and appreciates community support, with donations of pizza and snacks, hand warmers, and socks.
Kristen Goold and volunteer Sydney Marsh prepare more hot chocolate for people dropping by. Hand warmers, tea, and winter clothing are being offered to those in need. (Tom Summer/CBC)
As temperatures have dropped, the initiative has become more like a self-service, says Goold, with anyone needing a warm drink to help themselves to hot chocolate and tea. Even volunteers are huddling together around a fire to keep warm.
“What’s driven them to donate is they know how important it is for us to be out there, and what difference it does make,” she said of those who’ve dropped by to help.
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