Denise Savoie

SAVOIE APPALLED THAT FEDERAL BUDGET DOES NOT MENTION HOMELESS

OTTAWA – The lack of any mention of homelessness in the new federal budget shows that the Conservative government is completely out of touch with the needs and priorities of Victorians, says NDP MP Denise Savoie (Victoria).

“I can hardly believe it,” Savoie said. “But I’ve searched the whole Budget 2007 plan, and the word ‘homeless’ does not appear. Given everything that’s happened in our region around that issue this year — the debates, the forums, the extreme weather, the protests and calls for action, that’s really incredible. What will it take to make Stephen Harper’s Conservatives listen to local priorities?”

Savoie said she was also dismayed to hear Conservative cabinet minister Gary Lunn, who is also the MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, dodge the issue while being interviewed on local radio.

“When asked why there was a lack of money for housing in this budget, Gary Lunn said it was a question of priorities,” Savoie pointed out. “That’s inexcusable. But at least we know where his government stands. I guess helping the most vulnerable and funding programs that would create long-term, stable housing options to assist the homeless just does not make the list of Conservative priorities. Instead they chose to increase tax breaks for corporations.”

The NDP, by contrast, have made addressing the widening prosperity gap one of their top priorities. In the 2005 budget, the NDP secured an amendment that diverted $1.4 billion from corporate tax cuts to social housing.