Tories Failing Homeless

[FiveParadox]

Today, The Honourable Bonnie Brown, P.C., M.P., the Member for Oakville and the Social Development Critic for Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, and Mr. Marcel Proulx, M.P., the Member for Hull—Aylmer and the Public Works and Government Services Critic for the Official Opposition, demanded that the Government of Canada describe the steps that it is going to take to address homelessness in Canada.

The Critics brought attention to the fact that the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that Canada engage in a national strategy to combat the issue of homelessness. To that end, they recommended that the Government extend the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (a program launched by the previous Government of Canada) beyond the end of next year.

The S.C.P.I. program is the only federal program currently operating in relation to homelessness, and assists over one hundred fifty thousand homeless Canadians each year. The program provides crucial funding for shelters, prevention services, street work, drop-ins, and soup kitchens. However, Mr. Proulx indicated that there have been unexplained delays in the authorization of this funding from The Honourable Diane Finley, P.C., M.P., the Member for Haldimand—Norfolk and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

Mr. Marcel Proulx[/color], P.C., M.P.,]S.C.P.I. should distribute some $83 million throughout Canada, mainly to community agencies before March 31st, 2007, but delays by the Conservative government are forcing some agencies to suspend employees and cut services crucial for homeless people. The federal government must make a clear commitment for the funding to be in place by April 1st, 2007, if communities are to avoid a crisis in homelessness.

Click here to read the entire press release.
Cliquetez içi pour lire l'article entier.

I would agree that the Government should extend the S.C.P.I. program, and I would hope that Ms. Finley has a very good reason as to the delay in the authorization of the program's funding thus far. Homelessness continues to be an important issue in Canada, and it is important, in my view, that a program such as this continue to be nurtured and enhanced.

:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Liberal Party of Canada.

 

[tamarin]

"The Critics brought attention to the fact that the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that Canada engage in a national strategy to combat the issue of homelessness."

Interesting twaddle. So, what has the UN said to all other members of the G-8, indeed to all western countries about combatting homelessness? I can't believe the beleaguered group would finger Canada as being the chief culprit here.
The world is full of misery and wretchedness. Surely, the UN has better things to do than lecture Canada on domestic policy.

 

[FiveParadox]

tamarin, I had not suggested that the United Nations had singled-out Canada as a poor example of the issue of homelessness; rather, I think that the Critics had intended to suggest that Canada should make an effort to implement whatever recommendations were made by the U.N. (the recommendations were likely on a world basis—not Canada, in particuler).

 

[tamarin]

Now you're talking. The initial post implied Canada had been singled out for scrutiny and criticism.
The UN's on oxygen. It has so many balls in the air even a complement of professional jugglers could do little to help the blighted organization.

 

[FiveParadox]

Néanmoins, to the topic at hand, I would certainly support an extension of the S.C.P.I. initiative. I would hope that the Minister intends to authorize whatever moneys may be related to the program at once, so as to ensure that there are services in place to assist homeless persons, and to prevent persons from becoming homeless to begin with.

:!: Addendum

I would think it somewhat odd that, by a three-to-one ratio, members seem to oppose assisting homeless persons in Canada. I certainly hope that members wouldn't oppose a program on a partisan basis, even where the program is sound and warranted. I would suggest that it is extremely important that we take steps to assist homeless persons, and to ensure that they can have their status as effective members of society restored.

:!: Revision : Appended an addendum.