Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada
As Remembrance Day approaches, we are honouring the generations of brave soldiers who fought to protect the peace and freedom Canadians enjoy today. Our veterans have made great sacrifices for our country and they deserve safe and affordable places to call home.
Today in Sault Ste. Marie, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, visited Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 at 96 Great Northern Road, where construction was recently completed on 108 new affordable homes for veterans and their families.
This new nine-storey apartment building, with 30 per cent of homes under market rents, was made possible by $32.1 million in federal funding through the $14 billion Affordable Housing Fund. The new Royal Canadian Legion Branch apartment building is just one of over 261 projects in Ontario and 790 projects across Canada announced so far under the Affordable Housing Fund, which will build 60,000 new homes by 2029.
The new Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 provides a new space for all local veterans to enjoy, including a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms, and community hall. The building is also the new home for Sault Ste. Marie’s Veterans Affairs offices and the Military Family and Health Support Group, ensuring veterans and their families have convenient access to support for physical and mental health needs, including depression, anxiety, and trauma.
This new Royal Canadian Legion is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to taking care of the veterans who have served our country. The government is ensuring veterans have access to affordable housing and high-quality support services.
Also, across British Columbia, small businesses are creating jobs and strengthening communities. PacifiCan is committed to ensuring that entrepreneurs across the province have the resources they need to grow their businesses. Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) announced $2.7 million in PacifiCan support to Small Business BC.