In a stark reflection of a growing crisis, small towns and rural communities across Canada are grappling with rising homelessness, a situation that has become increasingly urgent in recent years. Cities like Bathurst in New Brunswick and Smithers in British Columbia are witnessing a surge in their unhoused populations, prompting local authorities to take action. A recent report by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has shed light on this alarming trend, revealing that approximately 85,000 individuals experienced homelessness in Ontario last year, with a significant percentage residing in rural and northern areas.
A Growing Concern in Bathurst
Once a community largely untouched by homelessness, Bathurst has seen a dramatic shift. Mayor Kim Chamberlain revealed that the city’s existing 10-bed shelter is insufficient for its population of 15,000, especially after 61 individuals were recorded without homes last autumn. The city is actively working to establish a new 40-bed shelter, with £1 million in provincial funding to combat the escalating issue.
Chamberlain expressed her concerns regarding the safety of those without shelter, particularly during the colder months. “People are dying in tent fires across the country,” she noted, highlighting the urgent need for more comprehensive solutions. The increasing visibility of encampments in nearby wooded areas further underscores the magnitude of the crisis. Local officials are striving to provide warmth and safety to those in need, yet the current patchwork approach has proven inadequate.
Smithers Faces Its Own Challenges
In Smithers, B.C., Mayor Gladys Atrill is also confronting the realities of homelessness. With a population of around 5,000, the town has witnessed a rise in its unhoused residents, with an estimated 77 individuals reported last year. Many of these individuals reside outdoors, with a visible homeless camp situated directly opposite the town hall.
To address the situation, Atrill’s administration has hired additional community safety officers and is exploring the establishment of a new housing project that would provide 40 apartments with support services. “We have been able to move some people through and off the street,” Atrill stated, reflecting on the community’s efforts to tackle the crisis, despite the challenges posed by public frustration and disorder.
The Broader Picture in Rural Canada
The AMO report highlights the significant increase in homelessness in rural areas, with figures indicating a 31 per cent rise since 2024, compared to a provincial increase of 7.8 per cent. Indigenous populations are disproportionately affected, representing over 13 per cent of those experiencing homelessness, despite constituting less than 3 per cent of Ontario’s total population.
Terrilee Kelford, chair of the newly established Rural Alliance to End Homelessness, emphasises the urgency of addressing this issue. “There are people sleeping outside in small towns across the country,” she said, calling attention to the changing perceptions around rural homelessness. Where denial previously existed, the reality has become undeniable.
Emergency Services Under Strain
The rise in homelessness is not only impacting community shelters but also straining local emergency services. In Medicine Hat, Alberta, Dr. Paul Parks of the regional hospital has observed a notable increase in patients presenting at the emergency department due to homelessness. The city reported 102 individuals experiencing homelessness in its latest count, a stark contrast to its previous achievement of “functional zero” homelessness just two years prior.
Parks attributes the crisis to a combination of economic hardship and inadequate mental health support. “We’re set up to fail,” he lamented, highlighting the cycle of individuals with severe mental health issues who are unable to access appropriate housing solutions.
Why it Matters
The rise in homelessness within rural Canada reflects broader systemic issues, including housing affordability, mental health care, and addiction services. As small municipalities struggle to respond to these crises, the impact on local communities becomes increasingly pronounced. Addressing homelessness is not merely a matter of providing shelter; it involves tackling the underlying factors that contribute to this growing epidemic. Without comprehensive strategies and adequate resources, the plight of the unhoused is likely to escalate, leaving communities grappling with social disorder and public health crises.
