Annual Homelessness Memorial Service draws dozens

Today was the 12th annual Homelessness Memorial Service, held at St. George's Round Church on Brunswick Street.

People who are homeless or in poverty have a shorter life expectancy than the average Canadian. The service honours people who have died in 2014 and in past years.

The service is always held close to the winter solstice, when the nights are longest and hardest for those living on the streets.

Dozens of people attended the service. CBC News asked some of them: Who did you come to remember and light a candle for today?

Judy Deal, advocate for the poor

"Holly. I used to cut hair, just as a volunteer at the Metro Non-Profit Housing coffee house. I used to cut hair years ago. This was years ago. I used to cut her hair, and she always wanted it really short. She was a very unique, colourful person. I loved her. I love everybody. People go through hard times."

Ann Duffy,Community Advocates Network

"I lit one for a gentleman named Charlie who used to cook at Brunswick Street United Church. When a group took the church over, for reasons, they evicted him. He was majorly, majorly claustrophobic. So he couldn't go to Metro Turning Point. He couldn't go into a little room. And within months, he froze to death in Point Pleasant Park. He was a wonderful, caring person. In my mind, it really shouldn't have happened."

Wayne MacNaughton, poverty activist

"I can remember quite a few people that I've seen pass away. The brutal reality is that people who experience homelessness, and for that matter people who live in poverty, have a shorter lifespan than people who don't."