September 1, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC — The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, today announced that La Maison de Jonathan will receive $485,602 in funding. This financial assistance will be used to expand the facility and set up appropriate facilities, which will enable the organization to accommodate more young people. These funds come from the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), one of the components of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI).

“I am pleased to announce funding for La Maison de Jonathan, which seeks to offer young people a future free from homelessness. This organization has made a name for itself in the Longueuil community and has been able to rally important partners,” said Minister Saada.

La Maison de Jonathan opens its door to young dropouts who are no longer able to function in the regular school system and who often have behaviour and addiction problems. Young people receive personalized help that allows them to face their problems. They also receive basic educational skills.

“This funding will certainly allow us to help more young people. We will continue our work and ensure that La Maison de Jonathan becomes a place where they feel they belong, to which they turn before choosing the street and perhaps becoming homeless,” said Fernande Leblanc-Sénéchal, the general manager of La Maison de Jonathan.

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 the agreement.

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