Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 15th, 2008

Macdonald praises Revelstoke’s efforts to address attainable housing crisis

In his response to the Throne speech, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald spoke highly of the work that residents in Revelstoke are doing to address the shortage of attainable housing.

Noting the complete lack of a plan to address the housing issue, Macdonald told the Legislature:

“The communities that I represent are trying to do something about the housing issue.  There are groups like Revelstoke’s Renters’ Voice, as well as mayor and council, trying to take action, but the provincial government is completely absent.

“In this Throne speech there certainly should have been something that addressed housing and homelessness.  The idea that the market is going to take care of this is a complete misunderstanding of the realities in my part of British Columbia.”

Macdonald was disappointed that little in the Throne speech related to the top issues raised by his constituents.

“People tell me the issues that matter to them are housing, seniors’ issues, healthcare, forestry and child poverty, yet there was nothing in this Throne speech to address those issues to British Columbian’s satisfaction.”