NDP Seniors and Housing Critic Lori Sigurdson issued the following statement in response to the federal and provincial housing announcement today:

“I am pleased to finally see action from the provincial government to leverage federal funding to improve rental supports. The federal government announced available funding for the provinces through the National Housing Strategy years ago and the UCP left that money untouched for too long while vulnerable Albertans struggled through the economic hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was disappointed to see no representation from the UCP with the federal government and the City of Edmonton today to partner in providing annual operational funding for supportive housing units. I echo the calls of Mayor Don Iveson to the UCP that operational funds are necessary to ensure Albertans who need wraparound services in affordable housing are supported.”