The Town of Smithers, B.C., says it will hold a public information session about a temporary winter shelter set to open in the community as misinformation about the facility is circulating .

The shelter, located downtown at 3892 3rd Ave., aims to provide somewhere for the city’s homeless population to sleep as the temperature drops during winter, according to Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill.

According to the 2025 Homeless Count, 77 people in the community of about 5,400 are homeless. Many live in a tent encampment.

“This isn't a new issue in Smithers, in terms of people requiring better circumstances than what they get living in the tent encampment,” Atrill said.

“Council has been asking for help from both the provincial government and B.C. Housing. I don't think we imagined this parti

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