This photograph shows an immigrant family better off than most. The members are well groomed and adequately clothed. Note, however, the number of beds and the disproportionate number of men. Crowded conditions seem to have existed at almost all economic levels in the immigrant community, at least for a short time.
The well-dressed man in the centre of the photograph is probably an earlier arrival to Winnipeg who acted as friend and counselor to newcomers. Indeed, enterprising immigrants made a business of offering housing and employment services to their fellow countrymen, even to the extent of preying on their fear and insecurities.
