As we hit the depths of November and make our way into December, those who are homeless in the Byward Market and Lowertown look like they’re starting to feel the cold snap.
The homeless shelters have people scattered in front on the sidewalks, smoking cigarettes and sharing conversation. The shelters don’t look as though they can hold everyone, and it’s clear the bitter cold is not welcome.
One man is on a bench in the late evening; he has swept away the light dusting of snow on the wood. He is wrapped in a sleeping bag with his feet resting on a cardboard box to keep his feet dry. His face is covered and he shivers slightly as pedestrians wrapped in scarves and warm jackets walk by, not seeming to notice him.
Another man has a cat on his shoulder and a dog just ahead of him. He lays out a blanket on the concrete in front of The Bay and sits down, his back against the frosty brick wall. The fluffy black and white cat runs towards it and nestles into the cotton warmth beside the man. People are intrigued and stop to talk to him, admiring his pets.
Winter is just beginning, and in Ottawa, those who may be spending some nights on the street are preparing for the sub-zero temperatures that will be hitting hard soon enough. However, Rob Eady, public relations director of The Shepherds of Good Hope, says that they try to accommodate everyone they can, even if it means having people sleep on the floor or in the hallways.
The Beat in Byward Market 