Orillia's warming centre requests additional support from city
As Ontarians look for ways to stay warm during the grip of winter, for the most vulnerable living on the streets, advocates say it means an added strain on everyday life.
"Harm is just greater in the winter, so we need to do something to reduce the harm," said Trish Holloway, operations manager for The Lighthouse.
Holloway says in Orillia, the city's warming centre has been working to remove an added level of harm within the winter month.
The space recently opened its doors and welcomed those needing a warm space when temperatures dip below -15C or -20C with the wind chill.
"Warming centres in Orillia and warming centres on all of our communities are the difference between someone having life or potentially something tragic," said Holloway.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
However, calls for additional support from the city are ongoing, with the Lighthouse requesting $31,500 in funding for 2023/24, which would go towards keeping the doors of the warming centre open longer and when temperatures fall to -10C.
On Tuesday, city councillors approved the Lighthouse's initial request.
"Homelessness is not a safe existence. We have encampments all over town, so it's not a safe situation, and we need to keep people warm," Tim Lauer Orillia, city councillor in Ward 4.
According to the city, the added funding has yet to be finalized; however, the decision is subject to ratification and is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.