Government of Canada invests in projects helping to keep Ontario seniors active, engaged and informed

AJAX, ON, April 14, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), joined by the Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that seniors in Ajax, Pickering and Kingston will soon have new opportunities to make a difference in their communities. The Government of Canada has approved five New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) community-based projects in these areas, for a total of more than $122,000 in funding. These projects, approved through the NHSP's 2014–2015 Call for Proposals, will make it possible for seniors to play a major role in a wide range of local programs and activities.

Minister Wong made this announcement today at the Pickering and Village Senior Citizens Club, which is receiving $25,000 in NHSP funding for its Restroom Accessibility Upgrades project. This project aims to enhance the long-term use of the Club's building by upgrading facility restrooms to ensure better access for senior members with limited mobility and other disabilities.

The four other projects being funded focus on educational, recreational and outreach activities that promote seniors participation and help provide guidance and support to community members from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Quick Facts

• Under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), up to $25,000 in grant funding can be provided to eligible organizations for community-based projects that are led or inspired by seniors.
• Since 2006, the NHSP has funded more than 13,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
• Economic Action Plan 2014 increased funding for the NHSP by $5 million per year, for a total of $50 million provided to this program annually.
• Since 2006, $2.8 billion in annual tax relief has been provided to seniors and pensioners.
• The Government of Canada launched the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report in September 2014. The report is a new information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families and caregivers. It was created in collaboration with more than 22 federal departments and agencies. The report can be found on Canada.ca/Seniors.
• Today's announcement is one example of what the Government is doing to improve Canadians' lives. To help families prosper, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), introducing the Family Tax Cut and making improvements to the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.
• The UCCB would increase to up to $1,920 per year for children under the age of 6, and parents would receive a benefit of up to $720 per year for each child aged 6 through 17.
• The proposed enhancements to the UCCB would provide $160 per month for each child under the age of 6 and $60 per month for each child aged 6 through 17.

Quotes

"I am proud of our Government's commitment to support New Horizons for Seniors Program projects in Ontario communities. These projects will go a long way to enhance the lives of local seniors and provide them with opportunities to interact and broaden their knowledge."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)

 "Our Government believes that one of the best ways to support Canadian seniors in Ajax, Pickering and Kingston is to work in partnership with innovative community organizations dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of seniors."
– The Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

"The Pickering and Village Senior Citizens Club, through support from the Town of Ajax and Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors Program grant, is honoured to have received this funding opportunity. Our project will continue to meet and support the needs of our members by allowing them to access our restrooms with ease, safety and comfort. The club has played a crucial role in the social and mental well‑being of seniors in the community."
– Jan Herbert, President, Pickering and Village Senior Citizens Club

Associated Links

• New Horizons for Seniors Program
• Canada.ca/Seniors
• Funding: New Horizons for Seniors
• Economic Action Plan 2014
• www.canada.ca/taxsavings
• Backgrounder on new measures: Helping Families Prosper

Backgrounder

The following Ontario organizations are receiving funding as a result of the New Horizons for Seniors Program 2014–2015 Call for Proposals.

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.

NHSP funding is targeted to community-based projects, pan-Canadian projects and pilot projects that focus on issues such as social isolation and intergenerational learning.

Community-based Projects
Community-based project funding supports activities that engage seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives: volunteering, mentoring, expanding awareness of elder abuse, social participation and capital assistance. These projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.

The NHSP 2014–2015 Call for Proposals for Community-Based Projects was launched on May 13, 2014, and is now closed. Over 1,850 NHSP community-based projects were approved through this call for proposals.

Pan-Canadian Projects
Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada. These projects are eligible to receive up to $750,000 in funding for up to three years.

Pilot Projects
Pilot project funding provides support to help address seniors' isolation by establishing better social support networks and resources and initiating community interventions. It also supports intergenerational learning projects that help seniors develop new interests and share their knowledge and experience with others. These pilot projects are receiving up to $100,000 in federal funding over a maximum of 24 months, 50 percent of which is being matched with funding from other sources.

The next NHSP call for proposals for community-based projects is anticipated to be launched in spring 2015. For more information on the NHSP, visit Canada.ca/Seniors.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada