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  November 2006

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Corporate Information > Newsroom > Speeches > 2006 Speeches > Opening Event for Heritage Chocolate 

Speaking Notes for

The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for New Brunswick South

On behalf of

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development

Opening Event for Heritage Chocolate

73 Milltown Blvd.
St. Stephen, NB
July 7, 2006
1:00 p.m.

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Good afternoon.

I am pleased to join you on behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development — and the Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Today, we are here to celebrate the opening of Heritage Chocolate.

The strength of Canada is the strength of our communities. That's why the federal government is continuing to provide support for projects like this one. Heritage Chocolate will provide eight units of affordable housing for lower-income non-elderly single people.

Canada's new government is very proud to be working in close cooperation with the Province of New Brunswick to fund this project, through federal funding of $100,000 under the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement.

Through CMHC, our national housing agency for more than 60 years, the federal government provides approximately $2 billion a year in housing assistance across the country. This primarily supports some 633,000 lower-income households. For the people of New Brunswick, this represents a total of about $57.4 million annually — in support of about 18,500 lower-income households.

My government believes that all Canadians should have a fair chance to own or rent their own home. That's why our 2006 federal Budget also provided a one-time strategic investment of $1.4 billion in new housing trust funds for provinces and territories to invest in affordable housing.

Today's event marks an important step forward for the people of St. Stephen and demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together. When it comes to building communities, it takes the efforts of many to achieve success. It takes partnerships at all levels of government. And it also takes creative and innovative people with a vision.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project, especially Heritage Chocolate Inc. You have created a truly unique project. Your collective efforts are improving the quality of life of residents of this community. I applaud your efforts and wish you all the best.

Thank you for joining us today.