Mr. Speaker, Canada's homeless population is somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000, and another 1.7 million struggle with housing affordability issues.
The Homeless World Cup of Soccer brings thousands of players together in a phenomenal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play soccer for their country and change their lives forever. Their courage, determination and tremendous human spirit to overcome obstacles should be an inspiration to us all.
Street Soccer Canada has been sending teams to the Homeless World Cup since 2004 and for the first time, will send a women's team, as well as a men's team.
I hope everyone in the House will join me in congratulating our Canadian stars in making it to the World Cup. I hope members will take the opportunity to play Team Canada here on Parliament Hill this summer and send a message that we need a national strategy to fight homelessness.