September 30, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHEDIAC, NEW BRUNSWICK—The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Member of Parliament for Beauséjour, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, funding of $82,611 to Le Vestiaire St-Joseph, a not-for-profit organization that runs a food and clothing bank in Shediac. This funding, provided under the Regional Homelessness Fund (RHF) of the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI), will help Le Vestiaire renovate and expand its facilities to help those at risk of homelessness.

“So often we’ve seen people move from their own smaller communities to bigger, more urban centres in order to receive the services they require,” said Mr. LeBlanc. “When people are at a difficult point in their lives, the comforts of what is familiar to them may be really important. The Government of Canada is proud to be a part of this project because it enables Le Vestiaire St-Joseph to accommodate the needs of citizens from St-Antoine to Shemogue.”

The Government of Canada’s contribution will enable Le Vestiaire St-Joseph to expand its facilities by 900 square feet. Le Vestiaire St-Joseph will have a new garage to park its pick-up/delivery truck. Other renovations will include repairs to the roof; new washrooms; the installation of a walk-in freezer; and additional storage for non-perishable food items. Not only will these enhancements allow Le Vestiaire St-Joseph to help more people but they will also ensure a safer environment for people using the services, for staff, and for volunteers.

“The funding will certainly help us to support and serve more people who are at a vulnerable point in their lives,” said Patricia Sirois, President of the Board of Le Vestiaire St-Joseph. “We want to reach out to as many people who need us as we can.”

Since the Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness, more than $7 million has been invested in 108 projects in New Brunswick.

As part of the NHI, the RHF provides funding and support to smaller communities to help them prevent individuals from becoming homeless and stabilize their living conditions. The RHF is accessible in all communities not eligible for mainstream NHI funding, and for youth-oriented projects.

Funding for the Initiative is provided for in the 2004 federal Budget.