‘Longest Night of the Year’ commemorates Calgarians who died experiencing homelessness in 2025

Nearly 300 Calgarians who lost their lives while experiencing homelessness in 2025 were honoured at the 11th annual Longest Night of the Year on Friday.

Held at the Homeless Memorial on 1 Street and 13 Avenue SE, the names of each person were read out loud, and other Calgarians added to the list as the event continued.

“Each person we remember today, each name we read out loud or write down, is a person who mattered, and who had a story,” said Patricia Jones, President and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, in a news release.

The initiative put on by the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Longest Night of the Year, coincides with Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day and the start of or near the winter solstice.

Jones says the yearly event is a time to grieve the loss of a loved one, friend, or family member, adding that for many, this “may be the only commemoration of their life.”

Health Canada says between 2011 and 2023, there were almost 1,700 cold-related deaths in Canada — about 129 deaths per year. More than two-thirds were men.

During that time, there were well over 9,000 cold-related hospitalizations.

Rick Learning, who attended the event, told CityNews, “A lot of my friends that passed away were super nice people, actually. They had a hard life, a lot of these people.”

“They didn’t have anyone to talk to or anyone they could go to when they need stuff,” he said.

Learning has been living at the Salvation Army for the last two years, and seeing so many people come to the event brought him some warmth on a frigid day.

“I thought no one would be here, too cold. I seen a bunch of people, and I started laughing. No way! Alright,” he said.

“Kinda made me feel more joyful.”

Bo Masterson with the Calgary Homeless Foundation says 284 names on the list this year, but in reality, the number of deaths is much higher.

“Every year, the number is different because it depends on who is submitting names to us. But every name, nonetheless, is so important, and we want to make sure nobody is forgotten,” he said.

The Calgary Homeless Foundation partnered with the Salvation Army to provide warm tents at the event, along with warm food and hot beverages. The Salvation Army does this at two locations daily, which is especially crucial on a freezing winter day.

“It’s a chance for us to try to connect with clients. Try to connect them to resources, help with system navigation, help them get on the housing list, help them get into shelter, transportation to appointments,” said Salvation Army outreach coordinator Kevin Mack.

Masterson adds that as the city’s population grows, so does the number of people experiencing homelessness. However, these organizations are committed to helping them get through the cold.

The Calgary Homeless Foundation, the City of Calgary, and over 20 partner organizations started the annual extreme weather response, which provides seasonal day spaces, overnight transportation to emergency shelters, and critical winter supplies. It runs from Dec. 1 to March 31.

According to the foundation’s Point-in-Time Count from October 2024, 3,121 Calgarians are experiencing homelessness.

The full list of names can be read at the Calgary Homeless Foundation website.

With files from Lauryn Heintz and The Canadian Press