2014 Northern Housing Forum

WELCOME

Geoffrey Kelley
Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Government of Quebec

I am pleased to invite you to the 2014 Northern Housing Forum. This meeting, organized with the support of our partners at Université Laval, stems from my desire to maintain a supply of accessible, suitably adapted and sustainable housing in northern Quebec. By harnessing your creativity we will find the innovative ideas that will allow us to successfully meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Access to quality housing is essential to the flourishing of any society and in maintaining human dignity. This concern must however take into account the reality of northern life while offering a variety of options allowing the needs of all to be reconciled with the means available. Thus, we must consider new approaches to providing each northern inhabitant with access to housing suited to his needs. Some of the various approaches which might be considered could include housing cooperatives, private homes and apartment complexes for instance.

The use of new construction techniques must take into account the principles of sustainable development and help optimize urban development while minimizing its environmental footprint.

We also cannot ignore the economic factors. Optimizing the use of financial resources available to finance the construction and maintenance of social housing is essential to maximize the services offered. In a sense of fairness, the development of a private property market could also be encouraged.

I am confident that your efforts will provide us with better tools to meet the aspirations and needs of those who live in the north, enabling northern society to feel at home and live up to its potential.

NORTHERN HOUSING FORUM