Extreme weather shelters up and running

Feb 4, 2025 | 3:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The intersection of Highways 16 and 97 was the scene of a very tragic discovery by RCMP shortly before nine Tuesday morning.

“The preliminary investigation is still ongoing,” explains Corporal Jennifer Cooper with the Prince George RCMP. “We will be working with the B.C. Coroners Service as they take over the investigation, as our police officers did not find anything suspicious with the body that was located this morning.”

There are several locations around the city, like the House of Friendship, to help avoid situations where people may be left out in the cold during extreme weather events like this one.

“Every person in our community matters,” says Barb Ward-Burkitt, Executive Director of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. “I think the other thing that’s really important to note is that some of the folks that are in the downtown core and that are in those kinds of situations are family members. They’re part of the Prince George Native Friendship Center family. They’re a part of my family. I have family members that are on the street. And so, you know, it really, really hits home on many, many levels.”

Ketso Yoh is another option for men who need help with 36 available beds for cold weather relief.

“We’ve got a drop-in centre that provides meals and snacks and supports and other ways that folks can connect with family if they need to. So just really extending that hand of friendship, because we know that this is a time that people need that little bit of extra support.”

Outreach workers will be hitting the streets during the evenings to ensure no one is left at risk.

“We, along with other community organizations, have outreach workers that are going out on the street and caretaking people, you know, giving them blankets and different things. If we’re not able to convince them to come to the shelter or to our other drop-in centers, because some folks choose to not do that.”