Ma Cabane, a day centre for the homeless and vulnerable in Sherbrooke, has seen an increase in numbers over the past few weeks, but the team of interveners does not see any correlation to the recent heat wave.
According to the centre’s director, Marc Saint-Louis, they had a record day not too long ago. They saw 70 different people walk into the building seeking water, snacks, and a place to rest. It is normally about 40 to 50, Saint-Louis said, and a lot of times it is people doubling up. With the weather pushing 40 degrees in the province, Ma Cabane reached out to one of its main donors, Fondation Rock-Guertin, for a steady water bottle supply. The only problem with the centre is they were unable to set up their cooling system in time.