‘I would like to see those statistics’: Sask. homeless advocate wants injuries related to cold exposure to be publicly shared

David Fineday on Feb. 8, 2024 after leading a smudge walk. (Laura Woodward/CTV News)

A homeless advocate is calling for information to be released about people who are hospitalized from the cold.

David Fineday says there isn’t public data on people who lose limbs or suffer from chronic illnesses and infections due to prolonged cold exposure.

“I would like to see those statistics,” Fineday told CTV News. “All you do is hear about the people that freeze, and it’s a bigger story than that.”

Fineday says his good friend, a 45-year-old woman, died from pneumonia on Jan. 10.

He honoured her life during a walk down 20th Street West on Saturday.

About 50 people joined Fineday on the walk, raising awareness about those living without a home.

Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest point-in-time count conducted in December.

On Feb. 3, a 19-year-old woman was found dead in a Fairhaven park. Police say foul play was not involved. Saskatchewan’s coroner is investigating her cause of death.

“I don’t want to see anymore people die,” Fineday said.

At each intersection, Fineday smudged and said a prayer for people who are living without a home.

The walk ended at Station 20 West with bannock, coffee and hand-drum songs.

On Jan. 29, Saskatoon Mayor, Cynthia Block, asked the city’s administration to create a report outlining the ways the city can address homelessness.

The report is expected to be presented to councillors in March.