Harper Government provides support for accessible playground in Kelowna

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Employment and Social Development Canada

Apr 11, 2015, 16:30 ET

KELOWNA, BC, April 11, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development, accompanied by the Honourable Ron Cannan, Member for Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country, announced funding in the amount of $50,000 through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to the City of Kelowna for its Ben Lee Park Playground Project.

Ben Lee Park is a popular and highly used city-wide park in the Rutland neighbourhood of Kelowna. The park includes over 18 acres of amenities and, through this funding, the City of Kelowna was able to undertake renovations to the Ben Lee playground to make it accessible to persons with disabilities.

There is currently an EAF call for proposals open, and eligible organizations are encouraged to apply for funding for projects that will help improve accessibility in community facilities across Canada. The deadline for submissions is April 27, 2015. Proposals can involve a wide variety of projects; however, priority will be given to projects that enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. outdoor playgrounds), veterans with disabilities or seniors with disabilities.

In addition to this, Minister Bergen reiterated the Government's commitment to put money back in the pockets of hard-working Canadian families. The commitment includes the proposed enhancements to the Universal Child Care Benefit, which would increase to almost $2,000 per year for every child under the age of 6, and $720 for every child aged 6 through 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015, and reflected in monthly payments to recipients in July 2015.

Quick Facts – Enabling Accessibility Fund

Since the creation of the EAF in 2007, our Government has funded over 1,800 projects helping thousands of Canadians gain better access to their communities' facilities, programs and services.
Under this call for proposals, organizations can receive a grant of up to $50,000.
Examples of eligible projects could include:

building accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities;

widening hallways and doorways, installing elevators and automated power doors;

improving lighting, acoustics or contrast;

installing accessible washrooms and service counters;

upgrading facilities that offer programs for adults and/or children with autism and other cognitive/intellectual impairments; and

installing assistive technology, installing or updating information technology.

Quick Facts – Family Tax Cut and Benefits Plan

All families with children will benefit from the new measures. Combined with tax relief introduced by the Government since 2006, a typical family of four can receive up to $6,600 in tax relief and enhanced benefits in 2015.
Low- and middle-income families will receive two-thirds of the overall benefits provided.
The Family Tax Cut will eliminate or significantly reduce the difference in the federal tax payable by a one-earner couple relative to a two-earner couple with a similar family income.

Quotes

"Our Government remains committed to supporting Canadians and their families. I encourage organizations to take this opportunity to submit their proposals for projects to increase accessibility, in particular those for children, such as playgrounds and recreational facilities."
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State for Social Development and Member of Parliament for Portage–Lisgar

"Ben Lee Park is an excellent example of the Enabling Accessibility Fund at work. Through programs such as this, our Government is making our shared spaces more accessible and inclusive for all individuals, which strengthens our communities and fosters productivity. I'm pleased to see communities nationwide benefitting from the EAF program."
– The Honourable Ron Cannan, Member for Parliament for Kelowna–Lake Country

"Accessibility is one of our cornerstones. It's important that people of all abilities can participate in our community and enjoy being outdoors. This playground has been designed specifically for those with specials needs in mind."
– His Worship Colin Basran, Mayor of Kelowna

Associated Links

Backgrounder

The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2013 extended the EAF on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to help improve communities and workplaces accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.

Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 1,800 projects have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in Canadian communities and workplaces.

The community accessibility stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to eligible recipients for capital cost projects that improve accessibility. To be considered eligible for funding, projects must be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to funding priorities identified during the present call for proposals, including support from their community.

For further information on how to submit proposals under the current call for community-based projects, please visit: www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada