May 3, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC —The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister responsible for Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Papineau, today announced funding of $60,000 for the Centre d’Orientation Prévention de l’Alcoolisme et Toxicomanie Latino-Américain (COPATLA), on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. The funding will enable this organization to inform and promote awareness regarding homelessness among Latin-American people with drug or alcohol addiction problems, as well as provide them with assistance. This funding was provided by the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), which is part of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthening Canada’s social foundations, as stated in the Speech from the Throne.

“The Government of Canada is proud to give COPATLA concrete support,” said Minister Pettigrew. “By giving a helping hand to people of Latin American origin who have drug or alcohol addiction problems, we will be able to offer them a future free from homelessness.”

COPATLA works to improve the overall health of the Latin American community in collaboration with various health organizations and professionals interested in the psychosocial development and integration of these people.

“This funding furthers the Government of Canada’s commitment to continue working together with community groups such as COPATLA, the private sector and all levels of government to find local solutions to fight homelessness, stated Minister Bradshaw.”

In July 2003, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a new agreement of cooperation regarding the NHI and the Regional Homelessness Fund. This agreement respects the jurisdictions, policies and priorities of both governments with respect to homelessness. A joint management committee oversees the coordination of this agreement and is supported in its work by an advisory committee composed of representatives from both levels of government and from community organizations.

The NHI is making a difference by encouraging the development of flexible, community-driven solutions to help alleviate homelessness.

Since the inception of the NHI, the Government of Canada has invested approximately $80 million in more than 450 projects to reduce homelessness in Quebec. Funding for the Initiative is provided for in the March 2004 Budget.

Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 1,800 projects, funded wholly or in part by the NHI. These projects will result in: The addition of approximately 8,000 permanent beds in shelters, and transitional and supportive housing. The construction, renovation and improvement of over 1,000 facilities such as shelters, food banks, soup kitchens and drop-in centres. The transfer of 50 properties, worth $9.2 million and approved under the NHI’s Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, to establish 214 transitional affordable housing units. In addition to Government of Canada investments, the partnerships have leveraged substantial resources, valued at more than a half billion dollars, for the implementation of homelessness projects in Canada.

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