Government of Canada supports a new project for Elders in Mission, British Columbia
News Release
July 19, 2017 Mission, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada
Elders will benefit from a new project in Mission, British Columbia, that will give them the opportunity to create a garden and strengthen their bonds with younger generations in the community. The announcement was made today by Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
The Mamele’awt Qweesome & To’o Housing Society received nearly $25,000 in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for its Returning To Our “Roots” project. Through this project, Elders will help to create and maintain a garden. They will also receive training on traditional medicine, and then share what they have learned with community youth.
This is one of almost 1,850 community-based projects approved through the 2016–2017 NHSP Call for Proposals. Organizations were invited to submit projects that promote positive aging and empower seniors to initiate and participate in activities that benefit the community.
Investing in Canada’s communities creates good jobs, encourages clean economic growth and builds stronger communities where all Canadians feel included. Partnerships with local governments, institutions and organizations are vital to delivering change and improving the lives of seniors.
Quotes
“Seniors can make significant and valuable contributions to their families, communities and society. That is why our government is dedicated to ensuring that Canadian seniors can share their knowledge, skills and experiences in unique ways that nurture their personal growth and foster community prosperity.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the Mamele’awt Qweesome & To’o Housing Society through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The Returning To Our “Roots” project is giving Elders the opportunity to acquire new skills, connect with their community and pass on their unique knowledge of cultural practices and traditions to community youth.”
– Jati Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon
“The Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program funding has enabled the Mamele’awt Qweesome Housing Society to transform an unsightly and unused area into a beautiful garden space to bring together Elders and young families to share knowledge and stories while engaging in healthy exercise and growing healthy foods.”
– Janice Silver, Chief Executive Officer, Mamele’awt Qweesome & To’o Housing Society
“We are so grateful that you have brought this beautiful gift to us and so thankful to have a reason to come out and meet every day with our neighbours and get to know each other better. It is so good to see Elders that have never before participated in any previous events or socials now coming in to join the program and making friends with their neighbours.”
– Elder Gwen Therrien, participant in the Returning To Our “Roots” project
Quick Facts
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Since 2004, the NHSP has approved close to 19,700 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total investment of approximately $417 million.
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Community-based projects approved through the 2016–2017 NHSP Call for Proposals are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.
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The most recent 2017–2018 NHSP Call for Proposals for community-based projects was launched on May 10, 2017 and closed on June 23, 2017.
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Based on Statistics Canada data from the 2016 census, there are now more seniors (5.9 million) than children (5.8 million) in Canada. By 2061, they project 12 million seniors to 8 million children.
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Contacts
Emilie Gauduchon-Campbell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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