Prime Minister Mark Carney says a new federal budget provides funding to eliminate homelessness within 10 years, with Winnipeg receiving early investments.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney said the federal government has learned from past efforts as it sets an ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness within 10 years, speaking at a press conference in Winnipeg on Friday.
Carney said Winnipeg was his first stop after the federal budget was released Thursday because Manitoba already has a plan that brings together “the government of Canada, the province of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and private philanthropy.”
The budget estimates about 65,000 Canadians are homeless, and the federal approach is described as more than building affordable housing, including supports aimed at helping vulnerable people and providing health supports intended to help people escape homelessness long-term.
To fund the effort, the federal budget offers $11.2 billion to tackle homelessness over four years starting next year, and $17.8 billion over 10 years. The federal government would fund construction costs, while provinces and other partners would cover operations.
Carney said the early funding will flow to Winnipeg first, including at least $1 billion in new money for 2,000 new housing units and the construction of a Centre for Mental Health and Addictions.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew called the federal funding a major deal, saying the province would commit $84 million a year to support what Ottawa is committed to build. He said Manitoba has not chosen a location for the health-care campus yet, but he plans to push for it to be completed within the three years Carney has set as a goal, adding, “We’re going to get it done right, we’re going to get it done quick.”
Kinew said the provincial NDP is working toward ending chronic homelessness by 2031 and said faster progress is possible because of co-ordination among all levels of government, including Indigenous leaders and other partners. “It’s the first time in our country’s history where every level of government has come together to tackle homelessness, including First Nations and Métis governments,” he said.
The event was held under the latticework of rafters at Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, the former Hudson Bay store in Winnipeg being transformed into an Indigenous hub of housing and other services by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. Jerry Daniels, the organization’s grand chief, said he was not sure what new housing funding would come their way but that the announcement was welcome, adding, “I think it’s good for the people of Winnipeg.”
Jennifer Moore Rattray, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, said she was excited by the investments and that while organizations have already built co-ordination among Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups to reduce homelessness, they had not previously had enough funding. “We know what works in community. We have been doing it for years,” Rattray said. “Now we actually have the investment.”
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