The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:
Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize National Housing Day. Across the country each year, November 22 is devoted to raising awareness about housing and homelessness and finding solutions to address Canada’s housing needs.
The National Housing Strategy, announced on this date in 2017, is a 10-year, $40 billion plan that includes $20.5 billion in federal funds to be allocated to provinces and territories to help reduce homelessness and improve the availability and quality of housing for Canadians in need.
Mr. Speaker, in April 2018, Newfoundland and Labrador also endorsed a multi-lateral Housing Partnership Framework with the Federal Government. This partnership addresses the housing needs of Canadians, particularly those of vulnerable populations.
Through this federal, provincial, territorial partnership we can achieve better housing outcomes by sharing data and information that will make program development and delivery more effective. By collaborating with diverse stakeholders we can create effective housing solutions.
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to achieving the best outcomes for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. In keeping with that commitment, we will continue working with the Federal Government to negotiate and finalize a bi-lateral agreement, which I am confident will represent an historic level of housing investment in our province.
Mr. Speaker, the details of this agreement are key to the development of the Provincial Housing and Homelessness Plan, which we will release in 2019.
Our focus is to reach an agreement with the Federal Government that addresses Newfoundland and Labrador’s specific housing needs and defines how the National Housing Strategy and our Provincial Housing and Homelessness Plan support and align provincial priorities with shared national housing outcomes.
Thank you.