Grand Opening Prospect View

July 17, 2007

Fort McMurray, AB - Bonjour.  Hello.

It’s a pleasure to be here on behalf of my colleague, the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development — and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

We are here today to participate in the official opening of Prospect View, a new affordable housing project which will provide 90 homes for the great people who serve our community – teachers, health-care workers, and RCMP officers.

Fort McMurray is one of Canada’s fastest growing communities, and our government recognizes that growing communities put increased demands on the housing sector.

We are delivering on our commitment to make affordable housing available in Alberta and across Canada for those who need it most. The creation of these new units will allow lower income families and individuals in Fort McMurray to live in safe, quality housing at an affordable cost and start a new page in their lives.

That’s why Canada’s New Government is pleased to contribute more than $1 million to this project under the Canada-Alberta Affordable Housing Agreement.  This funding will be an investment in the lives of the people of Fort McMurray for years to come.

And our Government is doing so much more to help house Canadians. Through CMHC, we provide approximately $2 billion a year in housing assistance primarily to support 630,000 households across the country.

For the people of Alberta, this represents $141.2 million annually, in support of 39,550 households.

Today’s event marks an important step forward for the people of Fort McMurray and demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together.

When it comes to building safe and strong communities, it takes the efforts of many to achieve success. It takes partnerships at all levels of government. And it also takes creative and innovative people with vision.

I would like to thank the people of the Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation. The work you do in providing safe, healthy, affordable housing is vital to this community.

This project is a further testament to your hard work, care and compassion.

I wish you all the best in the future.

Thank you. Merci.