Speaking Notes

For the
Honourable Roy Cullen
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness, and
Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North

On behalf of the
Honourable Joe Fontana
Minister of Labour and Housing

Groundbreaking Ceremony
at the
Youth Without Shelter
6 & 8 Warrendale Court
Toronto, ON
September 13, 2004

Check against delivery

Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to join you here today at the groundbreaking of the Youth Without Shelter. When completed, this residence will result in a linked 50-bed residence on two combined properties. The facility will provide various programs to help solve the housing, employment and education needs of youth.

As with most projects, partnerships are instrumental in achieving success. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed their time in bringing Youth Without Shelter to this point. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Province, the United Way, the City of Toronto, the Trillium Art and all those individuals who contributed to this project, for their desire to help improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. You have all worked so hard to bring this project to fruition and the Government of Canada congratulates you on your dedication and vision. Without your contribution to a common goal, we would not be here today.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC's Shelter Enhancement Program is pleased to have contributed $2 million in financial assistance towards this project, and over $30,000 through the National Homelessness Initiative.

The Shelter Enhancement Program provides financial assistance to assist in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and children, youth as well as men who are victims of family violence and to assist in the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second stage housing where needed.

In the 2003 budget, the Government of Canada provided $384 million to renew CMHC's renovation programs and preserve existing housing stock. This includes funding for Shelter Enhancement Program.

For over 30 years, CMHC's RRAP Program has served low-income Canadians, and made a major impact on quality housing throughout Canada. During this period, the suite of renovation and shelter enhancement programs have helped more than 700,000 Canadian households in need, and brought housing for lower-income Canadians up to minimum health and safety standards.

These programs are a key part of our national housing strategy, and a cornerstone of the Government's commitment to sustaining vital, healthy communities by investing in the restoration of housing stock for Canadians in need.

This builds on approximately $2 billion that the Government of Canada currently spends annually on housing, primarily in support of some 636,000 lower-income households.

Here in Ontario, the Government of Canada spends some $676 million each year, primarily in support of some 242,000 housing units that are occupied by lower income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, and victims of family violence.

The Government of Canada is also endeavouring to address the need for affordable housing through a variety of initiatives and on many levels. Under the Affordable Housing Initiative, the Government of Canada will be investing $1 billion by the end of 2007-2008.

As a part of the $680 million tranche of the Initiative, the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program agreement was signed in May 2002. It provides some $245 million in funding to create 10,500 new affordable units in Ontario over five years. With contributions from the province, municipalities and other private and non-profit partners, this investment in affordable housing will grow to $489 million.

I am pleased that the Government of Canada is currently working with all provinces and territories on implementing the $320 million tranche of the Affordable Housing Initiative, in order to help low-income Canadians find safe, quality and affordable housing.

This project demonstrates the sustained commitment of local residents to ensure that homeless youth in this community are provided with a safe and secure environment that will help give them a brighter future.

To all the partners involved, I thank you.