May 3, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GATINEAU, QUEBEC —Mr. Mark Assad, Member of Parliament for Gatineau, today announced funding of $80,000 for Entraide familiale de l’Outaouais, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. This contribution will be used for truck rentals, enabling the organization to offer a new service involving the pick-up and delivery of furniture and household appliances for people in need. The funding is being provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to making Canada a country with strong social foundations, as stated in the Speech from the Throne. “I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Canada is supporting this organization financially,” said Mr. Assad. “This means that the team will be able to continue making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people of our region.”

Since 1982, Entraide familiale de l’Outaouais has been helping the needy, offering them orientation, counselling and referral services, as well as literacy courses and training to re enter the labour market. It also provides them with basic goods free of charge.

“This funding furthers the Government of Canada’s commitment to continue working together with community groups such as Entraide familiale de l'Outaouais, 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 an agreement of cooperation regarding the SCPI 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/.