No water, no escape from heat for many in Peterborough
Advocates plan rally outside Peterborough Public Health
Community advocates for accessible drinking water and bathrooms in the downtown area are planning a rally on Friday to bring awareness to the issue that has been affecting the marginalized and homeless.
Drinkable water has been in short supply this summer during the season’s first heatwaves that saw temperatures soar to the high 30s.
Marginalized people are at greater risk of dying from heatrelated injuries more than from the cold, said Dan Hennessey, a local community activist.
The issue for marginalized and homeless on the streets in a heat wave is that there is nowhere to cool off, get a drink or just relax during the heat of the day, he said.
Hennessey said Peterborough currently has no cooling rooms, and people are expected to go to malls and stores with air conditioning.
That’s something, Hennessey said, that should not be shouldered by business owners.
“We are asking where the essential services for all the people on the street and the people who are vulnerable are,” said community advocate Trish Campbell.
“We are going to do a direct action on Friday, a social action,” she added. “We are asking everyone to meet at 185 King, the public health building, at noon.”
People who plan to show up should bring signs, empty water bottles and empty cups, as signs of solidarity with those who might not have access to drinkable water in the city, she said. People are reminded to maintain social distancing and wear masks.
Campbell plans to have speakers, people from the community who have experienced the lack of accessible drinking water or washrooms.
People at the street level, such as Susan Gauthier, an advocate for equality, have been handing out bottles of water during this past heat wave to those who needed them.
She said there are pockets of people throughout the city trying to help marginalized and
vulnerable people out with water to keep them hydrated.
“Water is one thing, it is the proverbial drop in the bucket,” said Gauthier. “It is also like a wellness check.”
Gauthier said water is life, but it is also important to know someone cares enough to check up on those who are out there.
Handing out water, though, is not sustainable, Campbell said.
“We are asking people to call and email their councillors and mayor about this whole situation,” she said. “In addition, we will try to support Sue (Gauthier) and her venture to make sure that everyone has some water and is hydrated.”
At this point it is name and shame, Campbell said.
“It is to name the problem and to shame those who are not doing something about it,” she said, “by making it more public. People have been calling, people have been writing, there have been letters in the paper, there has been coverage.”
Campbell said the response they have been getting from both Peterborough Public Health and Mayor Dianne Therrien’s office has been that they are working on it.
“Well you know, we are into the summer season,” she said. “We are into the second heat wave and we still have COVID to be concerned about when it comes to how services are delivered, and we just say enough is enough.”
Campbell, Gauthier and Hennessey urge people to contact their local councillors and Therrien to urge action.