Mr. Speaker, Edmonton East is home to six vibrant healthy co-operative housing communities. Each is unique. Each serves a valuable social purpose. Each provides an economic benefit to all Edmontonians.
Edmonton East co-operatives provide stability, safety, independence, privacy, affordability, diversity, equality and dignity to both advantaged and less advantaged families.
At a recent public forum someone expressed these benefits beautifully:
For the first time in my life I belong to a place I feel safe, know my neighbours, make a positive contribution, live in a community where there is space to grow a family, to have a yard, to have a pet and to be protected from adverse market forces.
Artspace provides our disabled with cost effective independent living.
Acoxual provides newcomers to Canada with the language, skills and job training needed to positively contribute to Edmonton's economy.
Sundance and Riverdale provide safe affordable communities to raise happy, healthy children.
It is imperative that our government ensure the long term viability of co-operative housing.