As a deep freeze sets over the region, a new Cambridge overnight warming centre is announced
CBC
The Region of Waterloo announced Monday that a new overnight warming centre will open in Cambridge.
The Wesley United Church will be the space used, located at 6 Cambridge St.
Though details are limited about when the centre will open, it will run from 8 p.m to 8 a.m., and will have space for 30 men.
The warming centre is a collaborative effort between the region and Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services.
"We have a few things that we need to work on when it comes to the space and making sure that it's ready and prepared," explained Porchlight executive director Cameron Dearlove. "So we don't have an opening date yet but we're working toward opening basically as soon as possible."
The announcement comes after a point-in-time-count conducted in October 2024 found more than 2,300 people in the community are experiencing homelessness. The number has doubled in the past three years.
"We need to make sure there are spaces where people can stay warm. There are lots of places where people can do that during the day but in the nighttime, there's a big gap in services," said Dearlove.
Porchlight staff will be running the warming centre when it opens.
"As part of the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, the Region and community partners prioritized winter warming plans, including overnight warming spaces, which was supported by Regional Council and approved in the 2025 budget," reads a regional release.
Environment Canada issued an extreme cold warning Monday morning as a polar vortex will plunge Waterloo region and surrounding areas into a deep freeze until Wednesday.
Warnings of its kind are issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach –30° C for at least two hours. Waterloo region's warning will remain in effect until at least Tuesday.
"Our most vulnerable neighbours need options to stay warm during these cold months and thew new overnight centre in Cambridge will make a real difference for many people," said Regional Councillor Him Erb in the release.
The release adds that more details will be shared when they are finalized.
"Operating a warming centre furthers Porchlight's mission of providing safe spaces that support the emotional well-being of our community, as physical safety directly impacts emotional well-being," added Porchlight executive director Cameron Dearlove.
When Stephanie Gamble watched her mother model the first dress she made, smiling wide and walking an imaginary runway, she knew that was what she wanted to keep doing in her life.
'Tis the season for cuddling on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and watching holiday movies. And for people in B.C.'s Interior, that can increasingly mean seeing their home communities on display.
Every year, snowy owls spread their wings and migrate down to the Prairies, where they enjoy access to plenty of rodent prey in vast open spaces.
This month has been a busy stretch at the Upper Room Food Bank in Charlottetown.
N.W.T. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland says she has received the final report from an independent investigation into education bodies in the Dehcho region.
P.E.I.’s auditor general says he’s concerned and disappointed that the projected deficit has doubled what government initially estimated it would be — and he's urging the province to balance its budget.
A man found not criminally responsible for stabbing five people to death at a Calgary house party is getting more freedoms but not an absolute discharge.
A man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a Toronto mother outside a supervised consumption site in Leslieville.
Russian olive trees — sometimes known as silver berry or oleaster — are small, ornamental plants with silvery leaves and black bark, and small yellow flowers and silver fruit that look like miniature olives. They’re pretty, but they’re a problem.
The Yukon Legislative Assembly’s fall sitting ended on Thursday after the territorial government introduced and passed a supplementary budget.
A Canadian military counter-intelligence operative, who stands accused of passing sensitive information to Ukraine, was involved in an investigation into allegations that a leading Canadian defence journalist was a longtime Russian asset.
An Alberta panel aimed at finding ways the province can strengthen its autonomy has offered up seven recommendations, including options for referendum topics.
People won't be able to travel along B.C.'s Highway 3 without significant delays and detours over the holiday season, says the Ministry of Transportation.