A citywide emergency may affect essential services such as water, power, heating, phone lines, transit, food and medical access. Depending on the severity of the incident, the City’s ability to provide emergency assistance may also be impacted.

At such times, you and your loved ones may need to move to a safe location away from your home. Facilities like recreation centres can serve as emergency shelters and are often better equipped to provide you with essential services and support.

Now, under the Lighthouse Program, certain faith-based facilities have agreed to open their doors to offer refuge to people during emergencies. These places will serve as public safe places, welcoming anyone in need of assistance, of any faith or personal belief system. Every faith-based facility participating in the program is a lighthouse.