April 8, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GATINEAU, QUEBEC — Marcel Proulx, Member of Parliament for Hull–Aylmer, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness, today announced $67,000 funding to the Centre alimentaire Aylmer. This funding will enable the Centre to continue to meet the needs of disadvantaged individuals and families in the Aylmer sector. The funding is being provided under the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative(SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and is proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen Canada’s social foundations, as set out in the Speech from the Throne.

“The Government of Canada is proud to tangibly support the Centre alimentaire Aylmer,” said Mr. Proulx. “It will help improve the living conditions of individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless.”

Since 1988, the Centre alimentaire Aylmer has been providing temporary accommodation, food distribution, community cafeteria, information, referral and supportive services to disadvantaged individuals and families in the Aylmer sector. The funding being provided will help the Centre better meet its clients’ needs. It will also make it possible for 200 families who are at risk of becoming homeless to become more familiar with existing resources and services.

“This project will help people in need in the Aylmer sector. We are very proud to be able to continue to offer them this service,” said Daniel Fortier, Director, Centre alimentaire Aylmer.

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 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. The funding for the Initiative is provided for in the 2004 Budget.

Since December 1999, communities across Canada have undertaken over 1,800 projects, funded wholly or in part by the National Homelessness Initiative. These projects will result in: The creation of approximately 8,000 new, permanent beds in shelters, transitional, and supportive houses; The construction, renovation, and enhancement of roughly 1000 sheltering facilities and support facilities, such as food banks, soup kitchens and drop-in centres; The transfer of 50 federal surplus properties worth over $9 million, which will result in the creation of 214 transitional and affordable housing units; and In addition to the Government of Canada investment, partnerships have leveraged over a half billion dollars towards the implementation of homelessness projects in Canada.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative, please visit our Web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca.

Bertrand Duclos
Government of Canada
(819) 953-2830, extension 222

Denis D’Amour
Minister Bradshaw’s Office
(506) 851-3419

Daniel Fortier
Centre alimentaire Aylmer
(819) 684-0163