News Release

Government of Canada Announces Funding to Help Combat Homelessness and Illicit Drug Use in Fredericton

FREDERICTON, April 9, 2010 – Today, the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for Fredericton, announced funding for projects under the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy and National Anti-Drug Strategy. Minister Ashfield made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health.

"Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs and is helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Minister Ashfield. "Through this investment, Partners for Youth will be able to find and help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Fredericton."

Through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Government of Canada will invest $40,000 in Partners for Youth, Inc. to hire a street outreach worker.

"Our government is proud to be working with provinces and communities across the country to help prevent illicit drug use among youth," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This province-wide workshop will directly impact approximately 1000 youth by providing communities in New Brunswick with the important tool of their own action plan to address illicit drug use among youth. The health and safety of Canadian families is the highest priority of this government."

Through the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund of the National Anti-Drug Strategy, the Government of Canada will invest $89,400 in Partners for Youth for a province-wide workshop designed to develop and implement community-based action plans on illicit drug use among youth.

"Hiring a street outreach worker is a very important initiative for many people in the greater Fredericton region. We look forward to working with our project partner, the Community Action Group on Homelessness, in order to make the most of this opportunity," said Mr. John Sharpe, General Manager, Partners for Youth. "Equally important is our two-year project through the Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund of Health Canada, which will increase community engagement. Holding a provincial workshop will allow communities to create an action plan that will be directed at youth aged 13 to 18 who either are at risk or have been involved in illicit drug use."

In September 2008, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $1.9 billion over five years for housing and homelessness programs for low income Canadians. Canada's Economic Action Plan is building on these investments by making an additional one time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing, and by making available up to $2 billion in loans to Canadian municipalities over two years for housing related infrastructure improvements.

The availability of safe and stable housing and related supports is an important element in addressing homelessness and helping individuals who are homeless achieve greater self sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy emphasizes longer term supportive and transitional housing by focusing on a housing first approach to help people make the transition out of the cycle of homelessness.

Initiatives such as Engaging Communities to Prevent and Intervene in Illicit Drug Use Among Youth are another step in implementing the Government of Canada's National Anti-Drug Strategy, which was announced by Prime Minister Harper in October 2007.

The federal Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund provides financial support for health promotion and prevention projects at the national, provincial and local levels. It addresses a wide range of illicit drug use issues, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth. Partners for Youth will receive $89,400 in financial support for this important project.

For more information on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

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For further information (media only):  

• Michelle Bakos
  Press Secretary
  Office of Minister Finley
  819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559