Canadian cities adjust emergency shelter capacity for winter

Municipalities in Red Deer and Fredericton are implementing changes to emergency shelter capacities ahead of the winter season.

In Red Deer, the city council unanimously approved a development permit to increase overnight beds at the Hope Mission emergency shelter. From November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, the shelter capacity will rise from 200 to 275 beds to provide surge capacity during cold weather. The operations plan includes a core team of nine staff, a Rapid Response Team with paramedics or EMTs, on-site nursing with a post-overdose clinic, and universal naloxone training.

In Fredericton, the city council approved an emergency out-of-the-cold shelter at the Small Craft Aquatic Centre. This site will provide 10 emergency overnight beds. The move follows the loss of a previous emergency shelter site at the exhibition grounds, which is scheduled for demolition. Fredericton Homeless Shelters Inc. reported that as of September, approximately 353 people were experiencing homelessness in the city, with 179 identified as chronically homeless.