The bitter cold has millions of Quebecers in its grip, and for the homeless population in Montreal, warming centres are considered a lifeline. With the windchill, temperatures in the city plunged below -30 C. At the Welcome Hall Mission, the 160 beds were all in use overnight. For those like Gilles Whitford, staying inside is a matter of survival. “It’s not fun. It’s not,” he said. “It’s best to be inside.” The shelter’s emergency warming centre was packed overnight with some even sleeping on chairs. Since the start of the cold season, the City of Montreal opened more than 500 warming centres. Advocates say it’s a crucial resource. “These kinds of cold temperatures are dangerous, and people who elect to stay outside are placing themselves in danger, and we don’t want that,” said Welcome Hall Mission president Sam Watts. The Old Brewery Mission is also operating at over capacity. “The whole sector is stretching to the extent possible to get everybody inside,” said CEO James Hughes. And while most people find their way inside, there are still those who do not. The Montreal Fire Department (SIM) is visiting more than 100 encampments this weekend, making sure no one is in danger from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. “We don’t normally do a blitz, or visit every encampment in a two-day span, which is what we’re doing now,” said Guy Lapointe of the SIM. “We have teams, and, over time, we have a lot of stuff outside going to visit them.” Montreal Public Health, meanwhile, warns that frostbite and hypothermia are real dangers. “They may have less access to adequate clothing,” said deputy medical director at Montreal Public Health, David Kaiser. “Their clothes may be wet because they’re spending, so much time outside.” Witford says he’s grateful that he can escape the bitter temperatures and find warmth and safety.
