QUESTION PERIOD — Infrastructure and Communities
Homelessness Strategy
November 19, 2024
Senator Gold, Radio-Canada recently reported on a jurisdictional dispute that’s stopping $50 million in federal aid from reaching its intended recipients — homeless persons in Quebec crammed into encampments due to a shortage of shelter space or affordable housing. Montreal mayor Valérie Plante believes the situation is urgent: winter is coming and a lot of people are living on the streets, some of them even dying there. How is it possible that the $50 million promised by the federal government hasn’t been transferred yet?
Thank you for the question.
You emphasized the importance of that money and what it can do to help people experiencing homelessness. The government is eager to act on the historic billion-dollar housing agreement it signed with Quebec last year by reaching an agreement about a $250-million fund to address the problem of homeless encampments. I believe the government wrote to Minister Carmant with a request for collaboration. Negotiations are under way. The government is eager to disburse the funds to Quebec communities to help prevent homelessness and reduce the number of people who are unsheltered.
Senator Gold, shouldn’t federalism be more efficient and flexible in the case of extremely vulnerable people who don’t have a roof over their head? Might it be possible to expedite those talks, do away with bureaucratic delays and minimize conditions so that these funds can finally get out the door?
I sincerely hope the talks will result in an agreement under which the funds can be distributed. Unfortunately, federalism isn’t always the most efficient way to do things, but it is the way things are done in our country. The two levels of government must reach an agreement. The Government of Canada is doing its best to get to that point as soon as possible.
