May 11, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEAUHARNOIS, QUEBEC — The Honourable Serge Marcil, MP for Beauharnois–Salaberry, today announced $114,595 in funding for Jeunesse Beauharnois on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. This contribution will be used to purchase a mobile crisis unit and hire a development officer. The funding is provided under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to strengthen Canada’s social foundations, as stated in the Speech from the Throne.

“I am pleased to see that the Government of Canada is providing concrete support to Jeunesse Beauharnois,” stated Mr. Marcil. “This will enable the organization to continue helping the youth in need in our area.”

Jeunesse Beauharnois has been working with young people between the ages of 12 and 17 for over twenty years. The organization offers delinquency and school drop out prevention services, in addition to providing its clients with stimulating activities to acquire work experience.

“This funding will enable us to access youth in their own environment and offer them better living conditions,” stated Charlotte Belzile, Coordinator, Jeunesse Beauharnois.

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 regard 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.

“The funding we offer is fulfilling the Government of Canada’s desire to cooperate with community organizations, the private sector and various levels of government in finding effective local solutions to homelessness,” stated Minister Bradshaw.

Since the inception of the NHI, the Government of Canada has invested over $80 million in more than 450 projects to reduce homelessness in Quebec.

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/.