Mr. Speaker, this Saturday is the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk. In communities across Canada, participants will be walking in the cold and the snow to support those experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness.
This year, I look forward to walking in St. Marys in support of the St. Marys Nourish Market and community outreach worker. In Stratford, funds will be raised to support Shelterlink Youth Services and the Stratford Connection Centre. In North Perth, they are supporting North Perth Housing/Homelessness Action through the United Way. Finally, in Minto-Mapleton, they will be supporting the work of the Community Resource Centre of North Wellington and Centre Wellington. Across these four events, over 850 participants have already raised over $250,000.
With the national housing crisis preventing so many Canadians from finding a safe, affordable place to live, the need is greater than ever. We thank all who have signed up and donated. I look forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, wearing their warm toques.