Mr. Rahim Jaffer, Member of Parliament for Edmonton – Strathcona

On behalf of

The Honourable Diane Finley,
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and
Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Centre de Santé Saint-Thomas Health Centre

Grand Salon of Campus Saint-Jean,
Edmonton, Alberta
June 10, 2006
1:00 p.m.

Check against delivery

Good afternoon.

I am pleased to join you on behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development — and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Today, we break ground for Centre de Santé Saint-Thomas Health Centre. I am, of course, delighted to be able to participate in the creation of a new affordable housing project, right here in my own riding.

The strength of Canada is the strength of our communities. If we want to ensure that our country remains strong, then we must strive to build healthy, liveable communities in every province and territory across the country.

That's why the federal government is providing support for projects like this one. When completed, this project will offer 50 units of affordable housing for seniors, allowing them to live as independently as possible in their community. In addition, the seniors that will be living at the Centre de Santé Saint-Thomas Health Centre will benefit from receiving services from a fully bilingual medical and support staff.

We are proud to be a partner with the Province of Alberta in this project, through funding of $1.25 million under phase one of the Canada – Alberta Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

Today's event marks an important step forward for the people of Edmonton and demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together.

The Government of Canada is working on many fronts to address the housing needs of all Canadians. Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, our national housing agency for over 60 years, we provide approximately $2 billion a year in housing assistance. This is primarily in support of some 633,000 lower-income households. For the people of Alberta, this represents a total of about $143 million — primarily in support of about 40,000 lower-income households.

This government believes that all Canadians should have a fair chance to own or rent their own home. That's why the 2006 federal Budget provided a one-time strategic investment of $1.4 billion in new housing trust funds for provinces and territories to invest in affordable housing.

When it comes to building communities and the housing within them, it takes the efforts of many to achieve success. It takes partnerships at all levels of government, involving all sectors, as well as creative and innovative people with a vision.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in this project, especially the Good Samaritan Society. The ground breaking for Centre de Santé Saint-Thomas Health Centre represents the fruit of many years of patient work. It also demonstrates the strong civic-mindedness of Edmonton's French-speaking community. I applaud your efforts and wish you all the best.

Thank you for joining us today.