OTTAWA, ONTARIO, April 8, 2008 - 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), has launched the latest Call for Applications under the New Horizons for Seniors Program for the fiscal year 2008-2009. In total, $19.5 million in funding is available across Canada - under the Community Participation and Leadership funding component - to support local projects by non-profit organizations that encourage seniors to contribute to their communities and improve their social well-being. The Program is accepting applications for funding from now until June 13, 2008.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country," said Minister Solberg. "Funded proposals will encourage seniors in Canada to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others."
"Seniors have given so much to our country and our communities," said Secretary of State LeBreton. "They have worked hard all their lives and deserve our support. The Government of Canada recognizes that seniors have helped to build this country and want to continue to make it a better place to live."
The New Horizons for Seniors Program has three funding streams. The funding being made available today is under the Community Participation and Leadership component - the cornerstone of the Program. This component is specifically geared towards projects that encourage seniors to play a central role in communities by helping those in need; providing leadership; and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
In 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-to raise awareness of elder abuse, and to provide capital assistance for upgrades to facilities and equipment used for existing seniors' programs.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 2,600 projects across Canada since 2004, inspiring seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to benefit our communities. For more information about the Program, please visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.
Budget 2008 and other recent federal initiatives are also addressing the needs of Canada's seniors through the introduction of a series of important measures that include:
- providing $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, and to provide information on what support is available;
- proposing to raise the current Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) earned income exemption to $3,500 from $500. This means that typical GIS recipients will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money without any reduction in GIS benefits;
- enabling 1.6 million low-income seniors to benefit from increased monthly benefits available under the Guaranteed Income Supplement and to make a one-time application for GIS. As long as they file income tax returns every year, these seniors will never have to reapply;
- establishing the National Seniors Council to advise the Government on issues of importance to older Canadians;
- providing more than $1 billion in tax relief to Canadian seniors and pensioners;
- 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 that seniors can claim under the age credit on their tax returns for 2007. With less income taxed, seniors save more.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For more 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
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 of community projects that help seniors share their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others, while reducing their social isolation.
Last year's $10 million per year increase to NHSP (Capital Assistance and Elder Abuse Awareness) boosted the total budget for the Program to $35 million per year.
As a result, the Program now offers three funding streams to not-for-profit organizations:
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Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 for each project): 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.
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Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 for each project): This funding helps non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It enables seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
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Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 for each project): This funding helps 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.
