Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:15:18 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [KCUTS] More lies from Libs re social housing
From: meadow@netidea.com
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 26, 2007
NEW REPORT CONFIRMS CAMPBELL LIBERALS BROKE PROMISE TO BUILD SOCIAL
HOUSING - THORNE
VICTORIA - A new report prepared by the City of Vancouver confirms that the
Campbell Liberals' commitments on homelessness are nothing but empty
promises, New Democrat Housing Critic Diane Thorne said today.
"The Campbell Liberals had promised to build 3200 units of affordable
housing in the four years leading up to the Olympics, but now we are
learning that this was just another empty promise," said Thorne, the MLA for
Coquitlam Maillardville. "The Campbell Liberals can't be trusted to keep
their promises, whether it's on affordable housing, poverty reduction,
workplace safety, or climate change."
The City of Vancouver report, along with a draft response from VANOC and the
governments of B.C., Canada, and Vancouver, will be presented to Vancouver
City Council on Thursday. The report notes that, due to a lack of funding
from the provincial government, it is unlikely that the goal of building 800
units a year of affordable housing will be met.
"I would have hoped that building 800 units of affordable housing a year
would be just the starting point, but it looks like the Campbell Liberals
won't even be able to deliver that," said Thorne. "We have been calling for
the provincial government to fund a minimum of 1200 units of affordable
housing a year, so the fact that in an era of huge surpluses they aren't
even willing to fund a mere 800 units is just appalling."
According to the report, an additional 250 housing units promised for
temporary Olympic workers will also likely not be built.
"This report just confirms what many people already knew. Housing Minister
Rich Coleman enjoys making big announcements, but when it comes to actually
delivering on those promises, he comes up short," said Thorne. "The proof is
in the pudding. This report shows that while the Campbell Liberals are more
than happy to take credit for stuff they haven't even delivered on, a
growing number of British Columbians are being left behind by this
government's policies.
"Under Gordon Campbell, the number of people who are homeless has more than
doubled," said Thorne. "The Premier seems more than willing to vote himself
a 54 percent raise, but investing in affordable housing is just not a
priority for his government."
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Media Contact: Sara Goldvine (250) 208-3560
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