Dear CAO of The Region of Waterloo, 

We’re reaching out to discuss the dire situation taking place currently for our unsheltered Waterloo Region community members. 

It is cold outside, with wind chill factors posing an undeniable risk. The potential for harm clearly increases when an individual faces little to no relief from the extreme weather elements at play. 

While municipal policy contains responses intended to be enabled in times of communal duress, this policy contains substantial gaps. 

Current policy provides relief measures that are woefully inadequate as these measures do not take into consideration the conditions and disproportionate impacts those living unhoused encounter.

For example, during extreme temperatures, we provide daytime relief spaces. However, this approach fails to account for the reality of individuals who have no home to return to at night.  

We recognize the steps being taken to move forward with change, however, this takes time. While we organize and evolve our approaches people continue to face both risk and come to harm. 

We encourage you to explore all potential solutions and support measures as available to us, including those implemented in other jurisdictions. For example, as seen recently in Guelph, we could utilize public building spaces, such as city halls, for overnight relief. Additionally, other places have used buses for warming services, which provide the advantage of flexibility in terms of location and service delivery. Currently, we already use buses to offer warming provisions when residents are displaced by residential fires.

We understand that it may fall within your role and capacity to activate temporary measures during extreme weather events, such as the one we are currently facing. We urge you to implement any available measures to support those at risk during this crisis as quickly as able.

Concerned citizens and community members including, 

Regan Sunshine Brusse

www.MyMotherNamedMeSunshine.ca