YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, February 29, 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 for seven projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), to ensure that seniors in the Northwest Territories have the opportunity to participate and take an active leadership role in their communities.
Total funding of $104,100 will benefit five communities in the Northwest Territories .
"The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country," said Minister Strahl. "The seven projects we are funding in the Northwest Territories will encourage seniors to share their skill s, wisdom and experience to benefit others."
In Budget 2007, the Government of Canada announced an additional investment of $10 million per year for two new components of NHSP: raising awareness of elder abuse, and providing capital assistance fo r 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 addressing the needs of Canada's seniors through the int roduction of a series of important measures that include:
Since its launch, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 2,600 projects across Canada, inspiring seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to projects that benefit their communities. For more information about the Program, please visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en /community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Additional information (media only):
Josée Bellemarer> Press Secretaryr> Office of Minister Strahlr> (819) 997-0002
Pema Lhalungpar> Press Secretaryr> Office of Minister Solbergr> 819-994-2482
Media Relationsr> Human Resources and Social Development Canada 819-994-5559
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 throu gh 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 ac ross 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 ot hers.
- 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 continu e 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 adult s 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.
