Extreme cold is a major risk to public health and safety, creating possible life-threatening conditions including hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory issues. Exposure to low temperatures over time can also increase the risk of heart attacks, respiratory issues, and dehydration, especially when individuals are unable to properly protect themselves. 

Extreme cold weather response efforts are funded by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) as time-limited, temporary warming centre spaces and outreach efforts that are provided during extreme cold weather to provide a low barrier warming space to those in need. Under the Assistance to Shelter Act, extreme weather conditions are defined based on the forecast from Environment Canada. EMCR funded warming centres may be established when extreme cold weather conditions exist, as outlined in the Assistance to Shelter Regulation.

RDN Emergency Services issues a public notice on the RDN website, shares it to local media, on RDN social media and through relevant community support organizations. Local police are also alerted and asked to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions. RDN then gathers information, coordinates support and connects with community partners to assist those most impacted by setting up an extreme cold weather warming centre. 

During extreme cold weather events, the RDN decision to activate a warming centre is based on the criteria set by Assistance to Shelter Act. Thresholds for extreme cold weather that might trigger activation of a warming centre on Vancouver Island are:

• Environment Canada is forecasting, for the next 24-hour period, a temperature of –4° Celsius or lower as the lowest temperature for that period. 
• According to Environment Canada, the temperature currently is –4° Celsius or lower.
• Environment Canada, for the next 24-hour period, is forecasting a temperature of 0° Celsius or lower as the lowest temperature for that period and has issued a weather warning.
• According to Environment Canada the temperature currently is 0° Celsius or lower and Environment Canada has issued a weather warning.

Service provider, facility availability and funding approval from EMCR are also pre-requisites for activation. 

Warming Centres are temporary low-barrier drop-in spaces activated as a life-safety measure during periods of extreme cold (based on Assistance to Shelter Act thresholds). Services are delivered by local service providers to offer a safe, warm, dry place of refuge with access to washroom facilities, a seating area, snacks and refreshments. No sleeping areas or registration requirements. Funding is authorized by EMCR. Emergency shelters are temporary but immediate places to stay for anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness. BC Housing offers three types of emergency shelters across B.C. with partners.New accordion content