Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this is the start of a collaborative effort within government, many departments to coordinate a response because there is overlap and this is a complex issue. If you keep in mind the United Nations definition where they distinguish between absolute homelessness and relative homelessness, absolute homelessness is somewhat more concrete and you can deal with the fact that people have no houses to stay in on a short-term basis. The longer term more difficult issue that has a tremendous connection in a host of areas is the issue of relative homelessness. Inadequate housing in communities ties into the housing strategy where we've already identified 3,000 housing units short and those types of things. So, yes, we intend to come forward with a coordinated plan. We're going to try to make sure we can deal on an ongoing basis with absolute homelessness so that people don't freeze to death in the winters. In the longer term it's going to be to come up with a plan or better coordinate the work, much of which is already underway to deal with the issue of relative homelessness. Struggling with such things as CMHC bowing out of the housing market over the next few years and the Assembly has already instructed the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to come back with a plan. That's going to tie into homelessness as well. So there's a lot of work already underway on this, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Michael Miltenberger on Committee Motion 40-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Earlier Of The Prorogation Of The First Session Of The 38th Parliament And The Coming Into Force Of The Civil Marriage Act (canada), Defeated
In the Legislative Assembly on March 9th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 40-15(3) To Amend Bill 17 To Come Into Force On The Earlier Of The Prorogation Of The First Session Of The 38th Parliament And The Coming Into Force Of The Civil Marriage Act (canada), Defeated
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 9th, 2005
Page 1938
See context to find out what was said next.