May 19, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC — Mrs. Yolande Thibeault, Member of Parliament for Saint Lambert, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness, today announced $128,744 in funding for Le Repas du Passant. This funding will be used to strengthen the organization's human and financial resources management, establish a drop-in centre for homeless people and hire a development officer and a community worker. This funding is being provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI).

"It is a pleasure for me to announce that the Government of Canada is providing funding for this reputable organization's project," stated Mrs. Thibeault. "With this funding, the organization will be able to continue offering high quality service to the most vulnerable members of society."

Le Repas du Passant serves hot meals to families and individuals in need in Longueuil, at a very low cost or even in exchange for a few hours of volunteer work. The organization provides its clientele with approximately 150 lunches, 5 days a week, 12 months a year.

In July 2003, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a new agreement of cooperation regarding the SCPI and the Regional Homelessness Fund. This agreement respects the jurisdictions, policies and priorities of both governments as they relate 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 funding we are providing reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to work with community groups such as Le Repas du Passant, the private sector and the various levels of government in order to find effective community solutions to alleviate homelessness," stated Minister Bradshaw.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. From 1999 to 2006, $1.15 billion is being spent towards the federal government’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada. 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. The funding for the Initiative comes from the March 2004 federal 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/.