January 20, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAMPBELLTON, NEW BRUNSWICK— Dr. Jeannot Castonguay, Member of Parliament for Madawaska—Restigouche, today announced funding of $30,000 to the L’Hébergement d’urgence du Restigouche Emergency Shelter Inc., under the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness component of the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. The funding will help the emergency shelter complete renovations and create four new spaces for lodging.

“The Government of Canada has worked with the Restigouche Emergency Shelter in the past and I am pleased that we have partnered again today,” stated Dr. Castonguay. “The shelter does great work in this community and makes a difference in people’s lives. We are proud to support their efforts and wish them continued success.”

The Government of Canada’s $30,000 contribution is a one-time capital funding contribution. Renovations are needed on the roof, chimney and washroom to provide a safe and healthy environment for both clients and staff. One bedroom that can accommodate up to four people will be renovated to reflect First Nation traditions and culture so that Aboriginal clients can have a comfortable, supportive atmosphere. The Eel River Bar First Nation and the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government will be partnering with the Restigouche Emergency Shelter for this project.

“We are grateful for this contribution and for the strong collaboration between all the partners involved in this project,” said Mr. Armand Doucette, President of the Board of Directors for the Restigouche Emergency Shelter. “These renovations will allow us to reach out and help more people in our community who are at a very vulnerable point in their lives.”

The Restigouche Emergency Shelter is a non-profit organization which first opened its doors in 1998. Its mission is to welcome, without discrimination, persons in need of temporary shelter. Clients are mostly referred by police, churches, and social services.

The National Homelessness Initiative works in partnership with community organizations, the private and voluntary sectors and other levels of government, to bring stakeholders together to develop local solutions that work to address particular needs and challenges faced by homeless people. Through this coordinated approach, the following programs are available to support communities across Canada: the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative; the Regional Homelessness Fund; the National Research Program; the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System; and the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Fund.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Building on the successes achieved, the Government of Canada announced, in the February 2003 Budget, $405 million for three years to continue the federal government’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada.

Since the NHI was launched, the Government of Canada has supported 80 projects with a total of $5,486,209, to alleviate homelessness in New Brunswick.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s NHI, visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca

For more information, contact:

Jolee Lord
Government of Canada
(506) 452-2422

Kim Oliver
Minister Bradshaw’s office
(819) 953-5646

M. Armand Doucette
L’Hébergement d’urgence du Restigouche Emergency Shelter Inc.
(506) 789-8636