Caught in the act

The NDP catches the Cons lying about their plans to fund a national housing initiative:

As news of widespread cuts to federal funding of housing programs across Canada is revealed, the NDP is calling on the Conservative government to immediately restore all funding to the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI), a federal program that funds the construction of affordable housing.

According to the City of Toronto’s Shelter Support and Housing Division, SCPI funding for the city will be cut by $5.8 million and details from the London Housing Coalition confirm that city has lost $513,000. The NDP has also learned of an impending $1 million cut to the City of Ottawa’s and a $416,000 cut in Yellowknife - a city that has been one of the hardest hit by homelessness. Details are currently being sought of potential cuts in other cities across the country.

“The Conservative government must reverse these cuts and make the funds available immediately,” said NDP Housing critic Irene Mathyssen. “Stephen Harper’s government must reassure Canadians that his government will keep its word that federal funding for housing will move forward. Canada’s most vulnerable citizens are counting on it.”

During a June 6 House of Commons committee meeting, Conservative Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Diane Finley assured the NDP’s Tony Martin that funding for the program would be extended.

According to the minutes of the Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) Committee proceedings, Finley stated: “You asked about SCPI. No problem: that's going forward. That's all been blessed and approved. We recognize the importance of these sectors and the dependence they have on federal funds.”

Fortunately, with the NDP collecting the cities' respective grievances, it shouldn't take long to mount a concerted effort to make sure the Cons don't lose sight of the importance of housing again. But with the Cons evidently showing no more respect for their than for their parliamentary promises than for their campaign commitments, there's all the less reason for Canadians to trust them in the future.