Winnipeg Musician Travels 10,000 km to Expose Homeless Crisis

Winnipeg musician Les Gillis embarked on a transformative journey in mid-July, traveling over 10,000 kilometres across Canada to raise awareness about the escalating homelessness crisis. His mission involved performing for those in need and gathering firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by thousands of Canadians lacking adequate shelter. Upon his return, Gillis brought back not only memories but crucial statistics and stories that highlight a national issue affecting numerous communities.

Reality Check in Kenora

The road trip commenced in Kenora, Ontario, where Gillis immediately encountered the stark reality of homelessness. Outside a local nonprofit shelter, individuals were seen sprawled on the ground, some sleeping on the pavement. “When I walked in, people were sleeping on the floor, sleeping on the tables,” he recounted. The shelter staff revealed that they had reached full capacity every night, struggling to meet the overwhelming demand for aid. “They need so much help — space, food, everything,” Gillis noted.

As he traveled further into Thunder Bay, Gillis spoke with a woman who had experienced addiction and now worked at a soup kitchen. She described the dangers of the city, where many people sleep along the riverbanks due to a lack of available beds. “It was eye-opening,” he said. In Sudbury, Gillis encountered an encampment surrounded by security guards, where individuals slept directly on the ground amidst ongoing drug use. “One guard told me his only job was to make sure nobody died,” he recalled.

Growing Numbers in Urban Centers

Continuing his journey into Toronto and Ottawa, the statistics became increasingly alarming. In Toronto, he learned that there are approximately 15,000 homeless individuals with only 1,700 beds available. Soup kitchens in the city feed thousands weekly, including a couple who previously worked as a surgeon and a nurse. They now serve over 3,000 meals each month.

In Ottawa, Gillis witnessed hundreds of people lined up outside a shelter with a mere 300 beds. Staff members confirmed that they turn people away every night. “Next door, a soup kitchen worker told me it was so dangerous that they couldn’t get volunteers,” he reported. Yet, despite the dire circumstances, Gillis found that music had the power to uplift spirits. “The whole room changed,” he said, describing how people responded positively to his performances.

Patterns Across the Maritimes

By the time Gillis reached New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, he saw a consistent pattern: shelters were full, and encampments often had security guards stationed outside. In Glace Bay, Cape Breton, with a population of just 4,500, the local mission was feeding over 2,000 people each month. Although he intended to end his journey in Newfoundland, ferry capacity issues prevented him from reaching the island. However, conversations with contacts indicated that the situation was just as severe there.

Throughout his travels, Gillis meticulously recorded data, estimating that at least 42,000 individuals were homeless from Winnipeg to Newfoundland, with only 17,000 beds available. “That doesn’t even cover everyone,” he pointed out, emphasizing that many people remain uncounted due to their hidden circumstances. He attributed the roots of the crisis to systemic issues dating back decades, including the closure of mental health institutions in the 1990s, which left many unable to care for themselves.

While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, Gillis believes it merely illuminated problems that had long been present. “The pandemic didn’t create this,” he stated. “It just brought it to the surface.”

Urgent Call for Action

Gillis was struck by the dedication of frontline workers and volunteers, who often felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation. “One woman told me she only volunteers a few times a month because she can’t sleep after — she sees the faces of people in her dreams,” he shared. Many volunteers expressed concerns about their mental health, revealing that the emotional toll of their work could be significant.

As he played music in various shelters, Gillis witnessed its transformative effects. “Every time I played, people lit up,” he remarked. He advocates for governments to fund music programs in shelters, believing that live performances can provide much-needed joy and human connection.

Back in Winnipeg, the homelessness crisis continues unabated, with recent estimates indicating that over 2,000 people are homeless in the city, and fewer than 600 shelter beds are available. Gillis plans to continue his outreach efforts at local shelters and hopes to embark on a new journey to British Columbia in the spring.

He understands the toll such experiences can take on him, having spent weeks processing the sights and conversations from his travels. “I’m such an emotional person. It took me a couple of weeks to settle down,” he admitted. Yet, he remains resolute in his mission, stating, “We’re the best country in the world. We have everything here. But if we don’t take care of our own people, we’re in big trouble.”

To follow Les Gillis and support his efforts, visit his Facebook page or contact him for details on donations through e-transfer and GoFundMe.