B.C. government opens extreme weather shelter spaces for winter

The B.C. government says it has already started opening temporary shelter spaces in the province in anticipation of extreme weather conditions over the winter.

The province, with municipal and non-profit partners, says it will providemore than 1,400 temporary shelter spaces and over 750extreme weather response shelter spaces. They will be open overnight seven days a week and some will provide 24-hour support.

• Click here to access the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's list of temporary shelter spaces

These spaces will support the 2,000 permanent shelter spaces in B.C.

Selina Robinson, minister of municipal affairs and housing, said in a statement theyare crucial for the health and safety of people living on the street.

"These shelters not only have the potential to save lives they also assist people in accessing the support and services they need to achieve housing stability," Robinson said.

Some of the temporary shelter spaceshave already opened, with more toopen starting Nov. 1, 2018. The extreme shelter spaces will remain open until March 31, 2019.