Rahim announces funding for affordable housing in Edmonton

August 23, 2006

EDMONTON, AB- Rahim joined provincial, municipal and local partners to celebrate the opening of Edmonton's Stollery place, which will provide 18 units of affordable, long-term supportive housing for low-income individuals. 

Good morning. Bonjour.

I am pleased to join you on behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development – and the Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Today, we are here to celebrate the opening of Stollery Place.

The strength of Canada is the strength of our communities. That's why the federal government is continuing to provide support for projects like this one. Stollery Place will provide 18 units of affordable, long-term supportive housing for low-income people.

Canada’s new government is working in close cooperation with the province to fund this project, through federal funding of $450,000 under the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Agreement.

Through CMHC, our national housing agency for more than 60 years, the federal government provides approximately $2-billion a year in housing assistance across the country. This primarily supports some 633,000 lower-income households. For the people of Alberta, this represents a total of about $143 million annually – in support of about 39,500 lower-income households.

Mon gouvernement croit que tous les Canadiens devraient avoir la chance de posséder ou de louer leur propre logement. C'est pourquoi le budget fédéral de 2006 prévoit aussi un investissement stratégique ponctuel de 1,4 milliard de dollars en nouveaux fonds fiduciaires pour aider les provinces et les territoires à investir dans le logement abordable.

L'inauguration de cet ensemble résidentiel représente un grand pas en avant pour la population de Edmonton et témoigne de ce qu'il est possible d'accomplir en travaillant ensemble. Quand il s'agit de bâtir des collectivités, il faut des efforts concertés pour réussir. Cela nécessite des partenariats entre les différents ordres de gouvernement, de même que des gens créatifs et novateurs possédant une vision.

Thank you to all those involved in this project especially the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation. You have created a wonderful facility that will enhance the lives of the people who need it the most in this community. I would also like to acknowledge the Stollery Charitable Foundation for their work and contributions to improving the lives of so many in the City of Edmonton.

Je vous félicite pour tout le travail accompli et je vous souhaite le plus grand des succès.

Merci de votre présence.

Thank you.