Summerside mayor and advocates urge province to keep shelter open 24 hours

After a cold snap left the provincial emergency shelter open 24 hours for several days, Summerside’s mayor and local advocates are asking the province to make the facility available around the clock year-round; the province says it opens shelters for full days only during extreme weather and relies on community partners for broader supports.

A recent cold snap and significant snowfall led Summerside's provincial emergency shelter to remain open 24 hours for several days. The shelter normally operates overnight only. Mayor Dan Kutcher and local advocates have asked the province to keep the shelter open 24/7 year‑round and to expand services that help people secure housing and supports. The provincial Department of Housing, Land and Communities said it does not run 24‑hour shelters but will open facilities for full days during extreme weather and works with community partners to provide additional services. What officials said: - The shelter was open 24 hours for several days because of a cold snap, but it normally operates overnight. - Mayor Dan Kutcher urged the province to keep the shelter open 24/7 and to provide more housing and support services. - The provincial department said it does not operate 24‑hour shelters and opens facilities full days only during extreme weather, while coordinating with community partners. - The Village Summerside said gaps remain outside shelter hours and is assisting a long-term unhoused man and his service dog. Summary: The requests from the mayor and advocates highlight concerns about people who may be left without shelter outside overnight hours and point to broader gaps in local supports. Provincial policy remains to open shelters during extreme weather, and the next steps on any permanent change to operating hours are undetermined at this time.