May 21, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, QUEBEC — The Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Social Development and Member of Parliament for Verdun─Saint-Henri─Saint-Paul─Pointe Saint-Charles, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness, today announced more than $407,000 in funding for Mission Bon Accueil. This funding will be used to implement two community projects. The funding is being provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI).

"For more than 100 years, Mission Bon Accueil has come to the assistance of people experiencing difficulties by considering their spiritual, emotional and physical needs. The Government of Canada is very proud to work with this organization, which has an excellent reputation and which encourages the development of people in need," stated Minister Frulla.

The Government of Canada's first contribution, in the amount of $205,070, will be used to renovate the Macaulay building and to hire a social worker in order to improve the living conditions of the homeless people who make use of that location. The second contribution, in the amount of $202,500, will be used to renovate the Kass building, hire a social worker and purchase material and equipment. This project will enable the organization to offer better quality services to homeless youth.

“Since 1892, Mission Bon Accueil has helped less fortunate people and given them hope for a better tomorrow. We are delighted to receive this funding. It will help us continue our work,” added Mr. Cyril Morgan, Vice-President, Board of Directors of Mission Bon Accueil.

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 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 comprised of representatives from both levels of government and from community organizations.

"The funding we are providing reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to working with community groups such as Mission Bon Accueil, 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. Funding for this 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/.