April 22, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC — Mrs. Yolande Thibeault, MP for Saint Lambert, today announced funding of $47,364 for La Croisée de Longueuil, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness. This contribution will enable the organization to replace some of the equipment necessary for the operation of its food services. The funding is provided through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), and demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to making Canada a country with strong social foundations, as stated in the Speech from the Throne.

“I am very happy that the Government of Canada is giving concrete support to La Croisée de Longueuil,” said Mrs. Thibeault. “This organization has been helping the needy in the region for a long time. Over the years, La Croisée de Longueuil has demonstrated its vitality and built a solid reputation for itself.”

For over 30 years, La Croisée de Longueuil has provided a range of services to the most vulnerable members of society. For example, it operates furniture and clothing stores and provides emergency food services.

In July 2003, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed an agreement 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.

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. 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 National Homelessness Initiative, please visit our Web site at http://www.homelessness.gc.ca/.

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