Transit terminal in North Bay being used as warming shelter
Those who need to get warm are heading to the transit terminal in the North Bay's downtown.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, local social service agencies are short-staffed, meaning there's no daytime warming shelter open.
"We just don’t have the staffing to look after the facility,"said Mark King, chair of District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.
"The liability issues surrounding these warming centres is very, very tricky, and you have to be very careful about who’s actually looking after it and whether or not it’s safe."
Drew Poeta, manager of transit with the City of North Bay, told CTV News people have been warming up in the terminal since November, so more recently security was hired.
"We have security in the week with one at the door as well as our staff, monitoring the door and the people in the lobby,"said Poeta.
Security guards
"On the weekends we have two security guards available, who are able to provide a safe environment making sure people follow COVID protocol and the city’s code of conduct."
The terminal can operate as a warming centre until March, but King and Poeta said it’s just a temporary solution.
"We’re hoping that some of the community groups are able to set something up more appropriate than the transit terminal," said Poeta.
"It’s absolutely not the place for it, without question," said King
"That’s a transit building, designed for people to move in and through the city, it’s not a warming centre."
King said he is in ongoing conversations with local service agencies and said he’s hoping a properly staffed warming centre will open in the next few days, which will be located downtown at the old health unit building.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec confirms first two cases of monkeypox; 20 other suspected cases under investigation
Quebec's health ministry announced Thursday evening there are two confirmed cases of monkeypox in the province, while 20 other suspected cases are still under investigation.

Monkeypox: What is it and how does it spread?
A growing number of countries, including Canada, the U.S., Spain, Portugal, and the U.K, are reporting an unusual outbreak of monkeypox. Here is what we know about this rare virus.
Ed Fast says it became 'untenable' to do job as Conservative finance critic
Conservative MP Ed Fast said it was becoming 'untenable' to do his job as finance critic within the Conservative Party of Canada, which is why he asked to be relieved of his duties.
Canada banning Chinese telecom giant Huawei, ZTE from 5G networks
Canada is banning China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE, another Chinese company, from participating in the country's 5G wireless networks, citing national security and cybersecurity concerns. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino made the announcement about prohibiting products and services from these 'high-risk vendors,' in Ottawa on Thursday.
Abortion accessibility in Canada: The Catholic hospital conflict
A leaked draft showing that the U.S Supreme Court justices are preparing to overturn the Roe v. Wade abortion-rights ruling has sparked debate in Canada, including whether Catholic hospitals can impede your access to abortion.
N.B. coroner jury says use-of-force policy needs review after officer kills woman
An independent group should review the use-of-force policy that guides New Brunswick police to ensure it is concise and understood by all officers in the province, a coroner's jury recommended Thursday.
Maud Lewis painting, once traded for grilled cheese sandwiches, sells for $350K
A painting by Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis that was once traded for a few grilled cheese sandwiches, recently sold for an astounding $350,000 at auction.
Charity calls on government to help resettle 300 LGBTQ2S+ Afghans trying to escape to Canada
A charity that focuses on helping LGBTQ2S+ refugees facing violence and discrimination internationally is calling on the Canadian government to partner with them to facilitate a way out for hundreds of Afghans who have reached out to them in desperation.
Prince Charles acknowledges suffering of residential school survivors
Prince Charles says he and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were departing Canada with 'heavy hearts' and a deeper understanding of residential schools after their royal visit wrapped in the Northwest Territories.