Ministers focused on the effect their actions have on improving the lives of Canadians. In addition to providing on-going housing initiatives, provinces and territories will partner with the federal government to contribute more than $2 billion to create new affordable housing units and to renovate existing social housing stock. Jobs will be created, and renovations will improve energy efficiency and enhance accessibility. Provincial and territorial investments represent more than half the total funding.

As primary partners, and in order to complement provincial and territorial programs, Ministers look forward to early and comprehensive involvement in decisions related to the extension of the federal funding for the Affordable Housing Initiative and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, and Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Social Services and Seniors, Doug Currie, expressed the need to engage with the federal government to recognize housing needs specific to Prince Edward Island. “There is a need for us to partner on long-term commitments and strategies to address new affordable housing initiatives for low income famillies, seniors and persons with disabilities,” he said.

While the federal Minister Responsible for Housing, the Honourable Diane Finley, was not able to attend this meeting, provincial and territorial Ministers were pleased that the federal Minister has invited them to a meeting in the fall.

For the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister responsible for Housing, the meeting marks the end of his term as the chair of the Provincial/Territorial Ministers’ forum. Alberta’s Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Honourable Yvonne Fritz, now assumes the role of chair for future meetings of the PT Ministers Responsible for Housing.