SURREY, B.C. (June 28, 2021): Surrey First Councillor Linda Annis says with temperatures forecast to reach almost 40 degrees today, the city needs to set up designated cooling centres right away for people who are homeless.

“Although our air-conditioned city rec centres and libraries will be open as usual today, they’re not set up to specifically help people with nowhere else to go in this heat,” Annis says. “The city needs to move right way to open some of its many facilities and welcome homeless residents who need a place to stay during the hottest hours of the day from late morning through early evening. Right now, we’re not doing anything to offer them drinking water, washroom facilities or just a place to sit down. Pop-up cooling centres in city facilities could be quickly set up to alleviate this.”

“Heat like this is rare and for most of us represents an uncomfortable experience, but for anyone with no place to go, it can be very dangerous,” adds Annis. “The city needs to open the doors on its facilities right away and offer these very basic services to help our most vulnerable residents get through this heatwave.”

Annis will be reaching out to city staff today looking for options and practical solutions using city facilities.

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Media contact:
Councillor Linda Annis
604.345.0211