Calls for an investigation into a Winnipeg shelter mount as a second family wants to investigate the death of their loved one

Family members of a 59-year-old man who was attacked and later died at a hospital outside a shelter say there are still questions about their loved ones, as calls for an investigation into the deaths at a Winnipeg shelter are growing.

The attack that killed Floyd Flett on Dec. 9 took place on the steps of N'dinawemak, and video obtained by CityNews shows a member of the SABE Peace Walkers — one of six partners serving at the shelter — failed to intervene. in attack.

Flett was hit multiple times in the head and later died of his injuries in hospital. Now his older sister, McLaine Flett, wants an investigation to ensure both shelter staff are properly trained and have adequate resources, such as safety and paramedics, to ensure her brother is remembered as a man. he would help as much as he could.

“There's a lot of anger,” Fleet said. “They should have intervened immediately instead of watching him get hit.”

“Whatever he has in his pocket, he will help you as much as he can.”

In 2022, Cheryl Whitford was found dead at the facility after not being checked for several hours, even though body and breathing checks were supposed to be done every 15 to 30 minutes.

His family have been vocal about wanting to see an inquest into the death, and now Flett's older sister has repeated the call, saying her brother's death could have been prevented and left him devastated.

“Usually I bump into him every time I go for a walk and it's hard not to see him every day and I always ask myself, why did they bother my brother?”

Shelter Board Chairwoman Victoria Fisher said in a statement that the board has “begun to restructure its service model and will continue to restructure the governance and management of shelter operations in light of any findings from this review.” it was done primarily for the benefit of his relatives.”

Multiple questions sent to Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith went unanswered Thursday and requests for an interview were declined.

As for Flett, he feels the investigation into his brother's attack and the post-mortem calls to make sure other people in vulnerable positions in the shelter are protected and not put in danger trying to access the scaffolding.

“That place, they need a lot of help.”