Ottawa's plan to end homelessness starts in Winnipeg

Canada's prime minister meeting the construction workers turning the former bay building into affordable housing. It's one of the reasons the federal government's plan to end homelessness is starting in Winnipeg. Why this came together was because of the initiatives that came from the ground up here in Winnipeg and were very much supported and led by the premier and the mayor. And so that came together. We feel confident in the model because of those conversations. Announced Thursday in the federal budget, Ottawa is promising $1 billion to build 2,000 homes for people in need and a new centre for mental health and addictions. Prime Minister Mark Carney says the government has to act. We understand both how difficult this will be, but equally how imperative it is that we all succeed. The announcement was heralded Friday as generational and courageous. A huge, humongous deal for Manitoba. Key to that, a new hub for mental health and addiction care expected to open in three years. We're talking about a new hospital, a new health care campus in our province that is responding to the calls of people from all walks of life. who've been saying we need to do more on mental health and we need to do more on addictions. Premier Wab Kinew said this hospital wouldn't exist without Mark Chipman. The head of True North met the Prime Minister a year ago to discuss the city's struggles. While homelessness is by no means unique to Winnipeg, Winnipeg is indeed unique in its ability to come together and take on the most challenging circumstances. The Premier says his government is looking at public land for the new homes. He says modular units and tiny homes are options. Ian Fraser, CBC News, Winnipeg.