Shuttle driver offers lifeline for unhoused people seeking shelter in sub-zero B.C. temperatures - Action News
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British Columbia

Shuttle driver offers lifeline for unhoused people seeking shelter in sub-zero B.C. temperatures

Upkar Singh Tatlay provides critical transportation to a White Rock warming centre for people who would otherwise likely have to try to survive on the streets during a vicious cold snap.

Upkar Singh Tatlay provides critical transportation to a White Rock warming centre

A man wears a medical mask and a toque while sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle. It is dark outside and there is the silhouette of people sitting behind him in the vehicle.
Upkar Singh Tatlay drives unhoused people from an overnight shelter in Surrey, B.C., to a daytime warming trailer in the neighbouring city of White Rock during the recent cold snap. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Sunrise is still hours away asUpkar Singh Tatlayclimbs behind the wheel of a white multi-passenger van and checks the temperature.

It's 10 Cin White Rock, B.C., and Tatlay says the proximity of the ocean to the peninsula municipality makes the frigid air feel even colder.

For people exposed to the elements without adequate provisions, the conditions canbelife-threatening, which is why Tatlay is on the road before dawn on a bitterly cold Sunday.

A man stands with his back to the camera wearing a safety reflector vest and black pants. It is dark outside and he is on a street facing into the open back doors of a white van and appears to be packing something into the vehicle. Around the van is a handful of people, one of whom appears to be carrying garbage bags of personal belongings.
Tatlay packs people's belongings into the back of his van before providing transportation for people experiencing homelessness. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

As the executive director of the Engaged Communities Canada Society, he is shuttling community members withno home of their own to a daytime warming centre run by the societyin partnership with the City of White Rock.

"There are so many people that need assistance,"said Tatlay, who will make multiple trips that morning.

Overnight shelter is available at the South Surrey Recreation Centre, but users have to leave before6:30 a.m. This is when Tatlayswoops in to shuttlepeople to the daytimelocation.

A laundry basket and resusable shopping bag are seen outside a make-shift blanket tent sitting on concrete in front of some shrubs. It is dark outside.
People stay warm under a blanket Monday morning after an extreme weather shelter closes for the morning in Surrey. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Three people walk side-by-side in the dark facing away from the camera. On the right, the person is draped in a blanket. The person in the middle wears a white coat and carries a handbag and the walker on the left wears all black save faintly visible white writing on the left leg of their pants.
Three unhoused people walk away from an overnight shelter Monday morning in Surrey. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The centre is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.at 14600 North Bluff Roadfrom the end of November through March.This past week,an Arctic outflow blew intoB.C. bringing with it sub-zero conditions and the dire need for such spaces.

Not only is Tatlaygiving rides to people anxiously awaiting his arrival at the rec centre, he is also keeping his eyes peeled for anyone in need who has not sought out shelter services.

"People are sleeping in really difficult situations so we are always trying to find out where they are," he said.

A woman pulls two suitcases behind her as she walks toward a portable trailer.
An unhoused woman walks with her belongings to a daytime warming centre in White Rock, B.C., on Monday morning. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The daytime centre is in a modular building and is funded by the city and public donations. When Tatlay arrives with his first van loadSunday morning, volunteersare already there with croissants and coffee on hand.

Volunteer Maria Jimenez-Perez is helping to plate and serve pastries and hot beverages. Cocoa and chocolate bars are also available.

"A lot of them like things extra sweet, I think maybe becauseit's so cold out there, the sugar just helps warm you up," said Jimenez-Perez.

Five men sit in chairs with their backs against a wall. Four are attempting to sleep with their heads slumped over, one white male stares directly at the camera. All of them are holding paper dishes.
People gather at a daytime warming centre inside a trailer in White Rock on Monday. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
A man sleeps on the floor with his head against a grey backpack. Next to him are men slumped in chairs.
Guests can access blankets and warm clothing at a daytime warming centre run by the Engaged Communities Canada Society in White Rock. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Centre guests can also access mental health and medical resources on site, as well as get their hands on warm clothing and blankets.

Tatlay said guests are a varied group with one thing in common they have nowhere to call home.

"We see seniors, we see people that have been discharged from the hospital, we see people who are quoteunquote renovicted," said Tatlay.

"We also see a lot of folks who actually have reallygood jobs but they just don't compare to the astronomical rents, cost of living [and]food."

A young South Asian woman wears a medical mask and safety vest while scooping batter onto a grill.
Avi Sidhu, 24, makes pancakes for people at the White Rock daytime warming centre. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

One guest toldCBCit took everything he had to survive, let alone stay warm during the harrowing weekend winter weather.

Forecasters are predicting warmer weather in the days to come, but Tatlayknows people are still in immediate danger.

And asthe shelter's breakfast crowd settles in to stave off the cold, he braces himself against the elements and heads back out tocomb the streets.

A man stands silhouetted in a trailer doorway that is slightly ajar. He wears a medical mask, toque and safety vest. A young South Asian man is visible inside the window of the trailer also wearing a safety vest. A sign on the exterior of the trailer says Daytime Warming Centre.
Tatlay opens up the daytime warming centre so it is ready for users who will have to vacate a nearby overnight emergency shelter. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

With files from Sohrab Sandhu