OTTAWA, ONTARIO,January 30, 2008 — The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-
Status Indians, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human
Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of
the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors), today announced
funding of $54,018 for three projects in Nunavut under the New Horizons for Seniors
Program, to ensure seniors have the opportunity to participate and take an active
leadership role within their communities.
Funding will benefit three communities throughout Nunavut. This includes $24,000 in
funding to the Iqaluit Seniors Inuktitut Language Nests project in Iqaluit.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our
communities and building our country," said Minister Strahl. "The three projects we are
funding will encourage elders across Nunavut to share their skills, wisdom and
experience to benefit others."
The Iqualuit Seniors Inuktitut Language Nests project, organized by the Nakasuk
elementary school, is one example of the projects aimed at helping seniors in Nunavut
participate more fully in their communities.
"Language preservation is important to the Elders' culture," said Ms. Carol Horn,
Principal of the Nakasuk elementary school. "This project has empowered the Elders
by leading social interaction to improve the lives of children. It has made a world of
difference to our Elders and our children."
In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of
$10 million per year for two new components of the New Horizons for Seniors
Program: raising awareness of elder abuse, and providing capital assistance for
upgrades to facilities and equipment used for existing seniors' programs. Projects
funded under these new components will be announced in the spring of 2008.
The federal government is also acting to address the needs of Canada's seniors
through the introduction of a series of important measures that include:
establishing the National Seniors Council to advise the Government on issues
of importance to older Canadians;
enabling 1.6 million low-income seniors to benefit from increased monthly
benefits available under the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and to make a one-time
application for the GIS. As long as these seniors file income
tax returns every year, they will never have to reapply;
providing more than $1 billion in tax relief to Canadian seniors and pensioners
in Budget 2007;
allowing seniors to build their retirement savings in Registered Pension Plans
and Registered Retirement Savings Plans for an extra two years until age 71; and
raising the amount seniors can claim under the age credit on their tax returns
for 2007. With less income taxed, seniors save more.
Since its launch, NHSP has funded over 2,600 projects across Canada,
inspiring seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to projects
that benefit our communities. For more information about the Program,
please visit the following Web site:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.
- 30 -
A detailed list of funded projects in Nunavut is included in the attached backgrounder.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Additional information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Adria Patzer
Communications
Service Canada
780-495-5606
backgrounder
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. This is achieved through funding community projects that help seniors share their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others, while reducing their social isolation.
Building on the success of the NHSP, in Budget 2007 the Government of Canada increased the Program's budget by $10 million per year to provide capital assistance for repairs to facilities and equipment related to existing seniors' programs, and to raise awareness of elder abuse across Canada. This has increased the total budget for the NHSP to $35 million per year.
As a result, the Program now offers three types of funding to organizations:
Pre-existing component
Community Participation and Leadership Funding: This funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
New funding components
Capital Assistance Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It will enable seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
Elder Abuse Awareness Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.
backgrounder
- FUNDING TO NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS PROJECTS IN NUNAVUT -
Organization
Project Title
Location
Amount
Sivullinuut Elders Society
Elders Life Recollection
Arviat
$5,850
Seniors Association Of Coral Harbour
Elders and Community Events
Coral Harbour
$24,168
Iqaluit District Education Authority (IDEA)
Iqaluit Seniors Inuktitut Language Nests
Iqaluit
$24,000
