May 20, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Government of Canada provides funding for the Association pour le travail de rue de d’Autray to alleviate homelessness

LAVALTRIE, QUEBEC — The Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Social Development and MP for Verdun–Saint-Henri–Saint-Paul–Pointe Saint-Charles, today announced funding of $69,849 for the Association pour le travail de rue de d’Autray, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. This funding, which will be used to improve the services offered and to hire two new employees, is being provided under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI).

“I am pleased to announce funding for this organization, which seeks to offer young people a future free from homelessness by helping them develop their self-sufficiency, acquire personal and social skills, and achieve their dreams,” stated Minister Frulla.

Through street work, the staff of the Association pour le travail de rue de d’Autray reaches out to young people who are facing difficulties. Moreover, it develops an important relationship with these young people in which their choices, styles and values are respected.

“This funding will enable us to meet a greater number of young people who are at risk of becoming homeless and make them aware of various situations related to homelessness. We will also be in a position to direct these young people to the resources that will be able to help them,” said Micheline Lemieux, Co-ordinator at the Association pour le travail de rue de d’Autray.

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 funding provided is concrete evidence of the Government of Canada’s commitment to work with community groups, such as the Association pour le travail de rue de d’Autray, the private sector, and the different levels of government in order to find effective local solutions to help alleviate 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 homeless in Quebec. Funding for this Initiative is provided for in the March 2004 budget. - 30 - -

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/.