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Human Resources, Labour and Employment October 10, 2008 The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland Labrador Housing: Stakeholders Address Housing Problems with Ministers Provincial and Territorial Housing Ministers met in Ottawa this week to hold a forum with national stakeholders concerning the state of housing in Canada. The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment co-chaired the meeting with the host province of Ontario. Ministers heard directly from a number of leading housing and aboriginal organizations on the current state of housing conditions in Canada. These groups also brought forward their ideas for improving housing affordability and fighting homelessness. "We clearly heard that now is the time for the Federal Government to step up and work with the provinces and territories to provide long-term, stable and predictable funding for housing," said Minister Skinner. "There are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and others across Canada who want to know that the Federal Government is committed to improving housing conditions." Last month, during the election campaign, the Federal Government announced $1.9 billion in funding for housing and homelessness programs for the next five years. The Conservative election platform, however, released this week indicates only a two year commitment. During the discussions, ministers and stakeholders expressed their frustrations with the contradictory messages. "This is about facing the issues people are dealing with everyday," said Minister Skinner. "The next Federal Government needs to clarify what exactly it is prepared to do when it comes to addressing the housing problems that exist. What we, as ministers have been calling on for years, is the need for a long-term federal funding commitment that will allow provincial and territorial governments to further invest in the infrastructure to meet the growing housing need." The Federal Liberals are proposing to spend $620 million on social housing over four years. The New Democrats have indicated they would work towards allocating one per cent of federal spending for affordable housing over the next 10 years and implementing a fully-funded affordable housing strategy. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government has worked to significantly invest in a series of housing programs and initiatives throughout the province. Delivered through Newfoundland Labrador Housing, nearly $50 million is being invested to provide more affordable housing options and improvements. These investments include: "Our Provincial Government recognizes the need we have in our province to improve the infrastructure and invest in the lives of our tenants," said Len Simms, Chief Executive Officer, Newfoundland Labrador Housing. "It is time for the Federal Government to recognize their responsibility when it comes to adequate and affordable housing for Canadians." The next Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers meeting is schedule to be held in St. John�s in August 2009. - 30 - Media contacts:
2008 10 10 1:00 p.m.
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