A white Christmas in parts of B.C. brings joy for some, dangers for others
It’s the white Christmas many Vancouverites were hoping for.
After waiting for 13 years for snow to fall in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley on this special day, winter wishes were granted.
However, the snowy weather also came as a risk for others.
“It is a winter wonderland out there for some folks, but for others, this can be a potential death sentence,” said Nicole Mucci, a spokesperson with the Union Gospel Mission.
Outreach workers from the charity said they are concerned about the homeless population, as Environment Canada has forecasted sub-zero temperatures for the next few days, due to an arctic outflow warning.
“When we look at extreme cold or a lot of snow for folks who are experiencing homelessness, there are many, many risks that they are facing,” Mucci added.
In Surrey, a group of volunteers have been working for weeks to assemble hampers and care packages, made up of donations from the community.
“Rain or shine or snow, these people are on the streets. They need blankets, they need sweaters, they need winter clothing. And, they need a little bit of toiletries,” said Erica Beckstead, who organized the packages.
A man named Everett, in line for the hampers, was grateful for the assistance, while also expressing concern for others. “It’s cold. It’s beautiful. And I really just hope everyone makes it home safely,” he said.
Environment Canada has forecasted five to 10 centimetres of snow and bands of moisture over the South Coast through Greater Vancouver and into the Fraser Valley into Saturday night.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.