Northern Health no longer operating warming centre

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health will no longer operate a warming centre in Fort St. John moving forward.

Energeticcity.ca contacted the health authority regarding a rumour that the warming centre would be unavailable next winter.

“Northern Health has no plans at this time to reopen a warming centre in Fort St. John,” the health authority said in a statement.

“Warming centre services do not typically fall within the mandate of health authorities. However, Northern Health temporarily took over operation of the warming centre at the Fort St. John Health Services Centre location, which was previously operated by the City of Fort St. John and its social agency partners.”

According to the statement, this was to provide “continuity of services” during the 2023-24 cold weather season.

MLA Dan Davies said he was not informed of Northern Health’s decision and called it “the wrong direction” to move in.

“We live in the north, where temperatures get fairly cold, and there are a number of people, unfortunately, who are down and out and require and rely on this warming centre,” Davies said.

“It’s been operating successfully for a number of years, and I will certainly be reaching out to Northern Health and the ministry to encourage that they do continue with this in the winter.”

As of last year’s Point-in-Time count survey, there are 102 people experiencing homelessness in the city.

In past years, the warming centre was run as a partnership between the Union of BC Municipalities and the City of Fort St. John. In December, Northern Health took over the facility’s operations.

According to Northern Health, warming centre services were offered only on a temporary, seasonal basis and closed during March.

“[OPS] will continue to be offered at the Fort St. John Health Services Centre on a permanent basis,” the statement reads. 

“However, renovation of the Health Services Centre is expected to take place later this year. During construction, mobile OPS will be offered in Fort St. John on a temporary basis.”

The OPS site has been controversial within the community, drawing criticisms from groups like the Peace River North school district and the Fort St. John and District Chamber of Commerce.

The statement says more information on mobile OPS will be announced once a renovation schedule has been established.

Energeticcity.ca has contacted the City of Fort St. John to learn more about the situation.