Mr. Speaker, last week, I met with groups that help the homeless in Magog, in my riding. They all agree that the plight of the homeless is worsening, not only in major centres, but in smaller cities as well.
The SCPI, which provides assistance for the homeless, will end on March 31, 2007, in 156 days. The minister in charge of this program has been in office for nine months now, and she still has not confirmed whether the program will be renewed. She remains deaf to the cries of the neediest members of our society.
How can the minister ask organizations that are helping thousands of people in need to plan all their services in less than five months? After nine months, she herself still cannot confirm whether the program will be renewed. She should enhance the SCPI and make it permanent, something the Bloc Québécois has long been calling for.