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TDRC Media Releases |
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January 31, 2002 Wet
and Freezing Outside Today’s wet and freezing weather will put to test the City’s ability to provide a bed for anyone who needs one. This weather offers great potential for homeless people to suffer serious injury or even death from the effects of the cold. Homeless people are at high risk for hypothermia. Research has shown that hypothermic deaths can even occur whenever moderately low temperatures overcome a person’s ability to conserve heat. This can occur at temperatures as high as 15 degrees Celcius. According to the City, before
today they connected the unseasonably mild winter weather, as one of the
reasons the hostels weren’t as full. They have been suggesting that
there is enough space available in the shelter system. Although throughout
this time, their own statistics revealed that the shelter system was
running at above 90% capacity -- the threshold set by City Council –
what they themselves have defined as “full”. “What will the City do to bring the homeless inside today? Will there be enough beds?” asks Cathy Crowe of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. “The City needs to stop finding excuses and act now to ensure there are no more deaths. At the very minimum, will a Cold Weather Alert be called?” For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net -30- |