In January 2025, Council directed staff to pursue the establishment of an Extreme Weather Response Shelter to be activated when conditions issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada met the threshold to potentially threaten the health and safety of unhoused individuals.
On September 8, 2025, a Public Hearing was held for community members to share their thoughts on an Extreme Weather Response Shelter operating when needed, out of a separated community space in Wakefield Manor by Beacon Community Services. Significant concerns related to the safety of Wakefield residents were expressed by the public and Council ultimately did not make the Zoning Bylaw changes to proceed with this proposal.
Last winter, concerned community members, including local volunteers and two organizations, asked Sidney Council to take action to better support people experiencing homelessness during extreme weather events.
These requests came from:
-The City of Victoria, which regularly activates emergency warming centres during cold weather, and
-St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, which provides outreach support in Sidney, including meals and assistance for people experiencing homelessness.
In response, Council directed staff to work with BC Housing to explore a temporary Extreme Weather Response Shelter in Sidney. This type of shelter would only open during extreme weather conditions that put the health and safety of unhoused individuals at risk, such as freezing temperatures, heavy snow, or dangerous storms. In times where the weather is not extreme, the shelter would not open.
Town staff have reviewed several locations. Wakefield Manor is a site that:
-Has a dedicated community space with its own entrance and washroom;
-Meets all building and fire safety codes;
-Is available when needed, even on short notice; and,
-Is owned by Beacon Community Services, who have the experience and capacity to operate the shelter.
Other sites, like the Mary Winspear Centre, are heavily booked and not guaranteed to be available when an emergency arises. The 2025/2026 winter season is approaching, and Wakefield Manor is the only viable option that meets both logistical and safety requirements.
No. An Extreme Weather Response Shelter is not a permanent facility. It is only activated on nights with dangerous weather, typically fewer than 10 nights per year based on past trends.
The shelter would open during extreme weather events, based on forecasts from Environment Canada and other services.
This includes:
-Heavy rain near freezing temperatures
-Freezing rain or sleet
-Snow accumulation
-Sustained high winds
-Temperatures at or below 0°C
These thresholds are consistent with the City of Victoria’s guidelines to ensure people aren’t moving between communities during dangerous conditions.
Yes, as long as individuals behave safely and respectfully, they would be welcome to use the emergency shelter during extreme weather events.
However, to maintain a safe and respectful space for everyone:
-No drugs or alcohol could be used on-site;
-All guests would need to follow shelter rules and behave in a way that does not put others at risk;
-Trained staff would be on-site at all times; and
-Security may be provided when the shelter is open to ensure safety for residents, neighborhood and those seeking shelter.
The shelter would provide up to 20 mats, but based on the most recent data, we would anticipate fewer than 10 individuals would use the shelter on any given night.
These concerns are valid, and they are being taken seriously. The shelter would be:
-Professionally operated by trained staff (overnight security may also be provided)
-Open only when the extreme weather alert is activated.
A set check-in period would be in place, after which the doors would remain closed for the night to support safety and minimize disruption.
Quiet hours would be enforced.
Beacon Community Services is a trusted non-profit that has supported the Saanich Peninsula since 1974. Many residents know Beacon through:
-The SHOAL Centre on Resthaven Drive
-Employment Services on Third Street
-Local Thrift Shops in Sidney
Beacon also has extensive experience running shelters and supportive housing in region, including:
-Out of the Rain Youth Shelter in Victoria, for over 15 years
-Mirrors Supportive Housing in Victoria, opened in 2023
The Town of Sidney has shared regular updates on this initiative through news releases, social media, and public meetings since January 2025.
On July 14, 2025, after reviewing several possible sites, Town staff recommended Wakefield Manor (9924 Third Street) as a location for the emergency shelter. This proposal requires changes to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw, and a Public Hearing has been scheduled for September 8, 2025. Details have been posted in the newspaper, on the Town’s Facebook page, and the Town’s website.
