Peterborough, ON - Today, Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding was verbally attacked at the Mayor’s Action Committee on Poverty Reduction Roundtable by Jim Watson, Provincial Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

MP Del Mastro was pleased to attend the roundtable at the Mayor’s invitation to discuss possible solutions and measures that can be taken to reduce poverty and homelessness here in Peterborough.

It was unfortunate that Minister Watson used the time to put forward mis-leading and partisan rhetoric in place of discussing actions that the Government of Ontario should pursue in partnership with the Federal Government.

“I would like to take this opportunity to outline the record spending that the Federal Government has already taken to alleviate poverty and homelessness and the record capacity of funding that we are providing to the Province of Ontario.” states MP Del Mastro.

The Government of Canada knows that having a safe and stable home is the first step to achieving self-sufficiency. That’s why in the Speech from the Throne, our Government renewed our commitment to continue to invest in Canadian families and their futures, and to help those seeking to break free from the cycles of homelessness and poverty.

Last year, our Government invested $740 million to help 237,200 low income Ontario families get access to affordable housing.

Across Canada to date, we have invested $1.4 billion in three provincial and territorial housing trusts to address short term pressures on the supply of affordable housing - measures that the Liberals voted against.

We are also investing $526 million in two initiatives over two years - the new Homelessness Partnering Strategy, aimed at combating homelessness in communities across Canada; and the extension of CMHC's renovation programs for those with low-incomes, including Aboriginal peoples.

This Government is taking action on behalf of some of Canada’s most vulnerable and we’re investing in programs that work.

Our Government will invest more on affordable and supportive housing this year than any government in history. In Ontario alone, we are committing more than $1 billion to build and renovate affordable housing.

The Ontario government accepted $392.5 million in federal affordable housing trust funds, dressed it up under new names like ROOF and DOOR, and neglected to note where the money came from. As well, Ontario has yet to say how additional federal funds we provided to address pressing Aboriginal housing needs will be used.

It's sad that Ontario was one of the slowest provinces to come to the table and match federal investments in the $1 billion federal Affordable Housing Initiative. Ontario was allocated $366.29 million under this initiative, but to date they have only committed 60 per cent of this money. Furthermore, Ontario has turned its back on the federal invitation to cost-share housing renovation programs for low-income households. Regardless, the federal government will spend more than $36 million for these programs in Ontario this year.

We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners, the private sector and community groups across the country to help support and shelter the vulnerable and ultimately help them achieve their potential. We have already made significant investments but recognize that more must be done - laughing, crying or debating the issue won't make a difference. What will is provincial leadership, significant provincial funding and a commitment to work constructively with communities, municipalities, the private sector and the federal government.

We know the Liberals didn't get it done on housing. We have a practical plan to provide affordable housing and combat homelessness and we're delivering on it. In fact, total annual federal spending on housing in Canada has never been higher.

Our Government is committed to working with communities across Canada to address homelessness and ensure that projects provide concrete and meaningful results for Canadians.

As further proof of our commitment to poverty reduction and affordable housing, I am pleased to announce today the release of two new affordable housing projects for the Peterborough Riding.

Myrtle’s Terrace will receive $1.5 million from the Federal Government for conversion to a new 60-unit residence for low income seniors in Peterborough. The Federal Government has also just approved $1.3 million to start construction on the new Lakefield Seniors' Project, which will provide 50 units of affordable housing for low income families and seniors.

As you can see, the Federal Government is doing its part to fight poverty and homelessness in the Peterborough Riding and across Ontario. In this case, actions speak louder than the mis-leading words from Minister Watson spoken at today’s roundtable.