Some Winnipeggers relying on bus shelters, constant movement to stay warm amid extreme cold weather

Some Winnipeggers who don’t have the option to stay inside during an extreme cold snap say they’re worried about their safety as they rely on warming spaces, bus shelters and just keeping their bodies moving to stay warm. 

This week’s extreme cold continued over the weekend, as the city remained under an orange-level cold warning on Sunday. Temperatures dropped to a low of –28 C, with the wind chill making it feel like –40, Environment Canada said. 

Exposed skin can be affected by frostbite within minutes amid these frigid conditions, the federal weather agency warns. Those who don’t have access to proper winter clothing or a warm place to go are at an increased risk of developing frostbite and hypothermia. 

Mitchell Peters said he’s worried for his safety “all the time,” but especially during extreme cold weather. 

He was trying to keep warm inside a bus shelter outside the Polo Park mall on Sunday because “it keeps the wind away,” providing some respite from the biting wind chill. 

He said he usually relies on bus shelters to stay warm because “it gets too packed” at the city’s shelters and he doesn’t feel that they are safe places to stay.

Kevin Walker, executive director with the Bear Clan Patrol, said the outreach organization was checking in with vulnerable community members who were out braving the freezing temperatures on Sunday. 

Walker, who offered a blanket and warm clothing to Peters, said the streets were emptier than usual that day. 

“Fortunately we’re seeing that there’s a lot of people that are in the shelters, a lot of people are staying out of the elements. We’re going to be the resources for the people that aren’t,” Walker said. 

“We’re going to continue to be out here, no matter how cold it gets, and continue to be a resource for unhoused people.”

Walker was part of a three-person team driving around the city — from the North End to St. Boniface to St. James — handing out blankets, tuques, mitts and other warming supplies. He said it makes a “huge difference” to have access to these supplies many Winnipeggers take for granted. 

“Having to deal with people with no shoes on, no mitts, purple hands, purple feet, that kind of thing. Very very heartbreaking to see,” he said.

“Especially on a day like this, it’s really not healthy to be out here without the proper clothing and the proper resources.” 

Bear Clan Patrol’s Keri-Lynn Redhead encouraged community members to wear their mitts, gloves, hats and use handwarmers if they have access to them. 

“Right now, during this extreme cold, it’s way too cold to be outside. Please stay in if you can,” Redhead said, adding they’ve seen fewer people outside than usual. 

“Don’t go outside if you don’t have to,” she said.

Timothy Day said he was walking around the Main Street area on Sunday just to keep his body moving. 

“I’m just trying to jog, just trying to stay warm, it’s really cold out,” Day said. 

He said he often goes to local shelters and warming spaces, like at the nearby Salvation Army, to stay warm. 

“We need more warm spaces,” Day said. 

“It’s really hard. It’s really hard out there,” he said. “It’s really cold out.”