Deep Homeless Crisis With Brutal Cold!

THUNDER BAY — Fort William First Nation (FWFN) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) are urging Mayor Ken Boshcoff and Thunder Bay City Council to declare a state of emergency over the city’s homelessness crisis, warning that conditions on the street have become life-threatening—especially as wind chills plunge into the -40 to -45 range this weekend.

“This is an emergency”

In a joint call shared online, FWFN and NAN pressed the City to treat homelessness as an urgent emergency requiring immediate, coordinated action—not only longer-term planning. The appeal comes as frontline agencies continue to report high demand for shelter and outreach supports during the winter season.

Environment Canada: Dangerous wind chills through Sunday

Environment Canada’s latest alert for Thunder Bay warns of a prolonged stretch of very cold conditions, with wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45 continuing through Sunday morning (January 25). The advisory notes the risk is greatest for people without proper shelter, alongside children, seniors, and those with chronic illness.

City issues cold weather declaration and activates Severe Weather Response Plan

On Friday (January 23), Thunder Bay issued a cold weather declaration and activated its Severe Weather Response Plan, triggering enhanced coordination across City departments and community partners.

According to the City’s public information shared through local reporting, the response includes:

• monitoring shelter availability and overflow options,

• expanded outreach and wellness checks,

• extended service hours for mobile supports like the SOS Van and NorWest Care Bus, and

• the possibility of opening additional overnight spaces if conditions worsen.

The scale of the challenge

The most recent Point-in-Time Count infographic for Thunder Bay reports at least 557 people experienced homelessness during a 24-hour survey period in October 2024, with 78% identifying as Indigenous—a statistic that underscores why Indigenous leadership continues to demand culturally safe, Indigenous-led solutions.

Ottawa has also pointed to that figure in announcing additional funding through Reaching Home, including an added $1 million allocation in 2024/25 to Thunder Bay’s Designated Communities stream (administered locally through the Lakehead Social Planning Council, working alongside the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre).

How the city’s longer-term plan fits in

Thunder Bay has been developing broader responses to unsheltered homelessness, including an Enhanced Encampment Response Plan and work toward a Temporary Shelter Village as a supported, short-term option intended to help people living outdoors connect to services and housing pathways.

That plan however stalled over the spring and summer with the COTB repeatedly looking for a location for the planned encampment. To date there has not been any shelters created under that plan.

At the same time, City engagement materials acknowledge a hard reality: the current emergency shelter system cannot fit everyone, and housing stock remains insufficient—one of the key reasons encampments persist.

What residents can do during the cold snap

With extreme cold expected through the weekend, residents are being asked to look out for neighbours, avoid unnecessary exposure outdoors, and use community warming options when needed.

If you see someone who may need help due to the cold, the City notes the SOS Van can be contacted during operating hours (6 p.m. to 2 a.m.). For medical emergencies, call 911.