Minister Bergen meets with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and tours Madison Place in Calgary

CALGARY, Oct. 2, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), met with representatives from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) in Calgary. Minister Bergen also highlighted the success of Madison Place in providing housing for veterans experiencing long-term homelessness in Calgary.

Minister Bergen was accompanied by Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, Devinder Shory, Member of Parliament for Calgary Northeast, Chief Rick Hansen and Inspector Curtis Olson of the Calgary Police Service, Tim Richter, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CAEH, and Shelley Heartwell, Chief Executive Officer at The Alex Community Health Centre.

"Our government is supporting people in need to build stronger communities right here in Calgary and all across Canada." said Minister Bergen. "Through the Homeless Partnering Strategy and the Housing First approach, we're committed to helping the most vulnerable Canadians achieve self-sufficiency and fully participate in society."

Madison Place provides veterans with housing and support to address issues that led to their homelessness, such as mental illness, substance abuse and physical disability. Madison Place is a member of the Calgary Homeless Foundation's (CHF) 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary. The CHF oversees this plan, in partnership with homeless-serving agencies, all levels of government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Through its Economic Action plan 2013, the Government of Canada proposes new and additional measures to further reduce homelessness, using a Housing First approach. For information on the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/homelessness.

SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan

Johanna Quinney
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819-953-2350

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Employment and Social Development Canada
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.