Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Housing

GATINEAU, Quebec, November 29, 2004 – The provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing expect productive discussions with the federal government to help address a range of housing needs across Canada.

PT Ministers also agreed that future collaboration with the federal government regarding existing and future housing be guided by a set of proposed principles. The Ministers support a comprehensive approach to housing through a continuum of shelter and related services, to promote the health and well being of Canadians.

Ministers believe that the Affordable Housing Initiatives provided a first step. Provincial/Territorial governments have committed more than $ 730 M of the $ 1.36 B jointly funded with the Federal government under Phase I across the country.

PT Ministers emphasized that future successes will rely heavily on collaboratively developed principles including flexibility, sustainability and predictability of funding through partnerships. The Ministers will continue to consult communities to identify and address housing needs. Ministers also confirmed their support to address the pressing needs for additional housing supply and to sustain the existing stock in rural, remote and northern regions of Canada.

The Ministers expressed their support for additional federal funding for housing initiatives. All Ministers agreed that cost sharing should not be mandatory, given the existing financial challenges that the provinces and territories are experiencing, and the large and growing fiscal imbalance in Canada between federal and some provincial and territorial governments.

“Adequate and affordable housing is important to all Canadians and deserves an ongoing, long-term commitment with dedicated resources,” said Mr. Morse. “We have made progress today on the road to ensuring this commitment and invite Minister Fontana to work with us to help meet the specific housing needs of all jurisdictions.” The Provincial/Territorial Housing Ministers meeting was chaired by Nova Scotia Community Services and Housing Minister David Morse.

Provincial and Territorial Ministers look forward to their meeting tomorrow with the new Federal Housing Minister. Ministers will present these proposed principles to Minister Fontana. The P/T Ministers expect that the Federal government’s collaboration will support their efforts based on the proposed principles.

For Information:

Shulamith Medjuck
Government of Nova Scotia
(902) 424-4039