Speaking Notes for

The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Member of Parliament for Saskatoon – Rosetown – Biggar

On behalf of

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

Opening of Elm Park Terrace and Funding Announcement for Hunter Crossing

802 Avenue K North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
November 17, 2006
11:00 a.m.

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Good morning. Bonjour.

I am pleased to be here today, 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 Elm Park Terrace — and to announce funding for Hunter Crossing.

Here in Saskatoon, and right across the country, Canada's New Government is getting things done for Canadians. We're putting more money in their pockets by lowering taxes, and helping with choice in child care by giving parents $100 a month for each child under six. We've also introduced important new changes to Compassionate Care leave, brought in incentives to help young people get into the trades through apprenticeship grants, provided $1 billion for post-secondary education, and made an additional $1.4 billion commitment to affordable housing in our last budget.

Our ongoing commitment to affordable housing is helping to provide support for projects like the two we are highlighting today. Elm Park Terrace's 11 new townhouses will provide low- to moderate-income families with the chance to become homeowners. And when the construction of Hunter Crossing is complete, 40 new units will be added to the housing stock here in Saskatoon, of which 12 will be fully-accessible bungalows. Hunter Crossing has been designed to demonstrate how housing can be made accessible to persons with disabilities.

Canada's New Government is very proud to be working in close cooperation with the Province of Saskatchewan to fund these projects, through federal funding under the Canada – Saskatchewan Affordable Housing Agreement. Both of these projects are intended for homeownership, and therefore qualifying participants are eligible for federal assistance. In the case of Elm Park Terrace, funding up to $9,750 per unit will be made available and for Hunter Crossing, up to about $25,000 per unit.

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 Saskatchewan, this represents a total of about $152 million annually — in support of about 35,000 lower-income households.

Today's event marks an important step forward for the people of Saskatoon 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 all those involved in this project, especially the Affordable New Home Development Foundation. Since 1999, the Foundation has helped more than 250 families become homeowners. By cooperating with Ehrenburg Homes on the Elm Park development, and with North Ridge Development Corporation on Hunter Crossing, you are furthering your mission, helping people realize their dreams of homeownership — and changing lives. We appreciate all you are doing.

Thank you for joining us today. Merci.