January 14, 2003

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC-Today, Trigone Animation launched an awareness campaign designed to eliminate societal stereotypes about homeless people. Mrs. Marlene Jennings, Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Lachine, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Federal Coordinator on Homelessness, today reaffirmed funding of $385,383 to support Trigone Animation. This funding is provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative, which is part of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI).

"The Government of Canada is very proud to support Trigone Animation in its public awareness campaign," said Mrs. Jennings. "The more the realities of homelessness are understood, the better the chances are to change attitudes."

Government of Canada funding will enable Trigone Animation to show people the true face of homelessness in Quebec by producing social advertising materials and publications, among other materials. The $753-million NHI works in partnership with community organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to help Canada's homeless people by bringing together various partners to develop local solutions that work to address particular homelessness needs and issues. Through this coordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; the Urban Aboriginal Strategy; the Youth component of the NHI; the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative; and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Renovation and Conversion Programs, as well as the Shelter Enhancement Program.

In February 2001, the governments of Canada and Quebec signed a cooperation agreement on the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative. The agreement is in keeping with the jurisdictions, policies and priorities of both governments regarding matters of homelessness. A joint management committee oversees coordination of the agreement in Quebec. It is supported by an advisory committee that brings together representatives of both levels of government and community organizations.

Funding for the National Homelessness Initiative was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is built into the existing financial framework.

For more information on the Government of Canada's National Homelessness Initiative, visit our Web site at http://www.homelessness.gc.ca.