Colder weather is on the way and there are no definite plans yet for a cold weather shelter in Parksville.
Concerned residents rallied on Oct. 11 outside the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre (PCTC), where city council meets, in support of a shelter this winter.
Parksville residents Sue Fichtler and Jane McCormick were part of a group of approximately 30 people who called on the city to open a shelter.
"Everybody should have a home. Sue and I are members of Moms Stop the Harm. We both lost our sons to toxic drugs," McCormick said. "Since then we have been wanting to do more for those who are vulnerable society members. We are tired of Parksville not having a proper shelter, not making the plan to have a proper shelter for those that are living on our streets."
Moms Stop the Harm advocates for change to drug policies, provides peer support to grieving families and assists people with loved ones who use or have used substances.
"A shelter will prevent deaths," said Fichtler. "We're just doing everything we can to prevent another family from suffering the unimaginable pain, and unending grief that such a tragic loss brings."
The city said it will not comment at this time. There was no cold weather shelter in Parksville last year.
Last winter, Risebridge partnered with the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) to host a temporary overnight warming centre for a few especially cold January nights in Qualicum Beach. The Risebridge ROSE team also provided outreach support in the daytime throughout the PQB region.
“Parksville needs our support. There’s so many unhoused people here, it’s very, very sad," McCormick said. “There’s so many people living in their cars. They’re seniors — they can’t afford to live in homes.”
Due to the provincial election, BC Housing said it is unable to respond to media with any information that is not already publicly available on its website.
