CHERRY GROVE, ALBERTA, April 23, 2008 - Mr. Brian Storseth, Member of Parliament for Westlock-St. Paul, today announced and celebrated funding for nine projects under the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
Mr. Storseth made the announcement 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).
This funding will give seniors in Cherry Grove and the surrounding area more opportunities to participate and take an active leadership role in their communities.
Speaking at the Cherry Grove Community Centre, Mr. Storseth announced a total of $129,520 in funding for nine projects in the area. Six of the projects are funded under the Community Participation and Leadership component of the NHSP, and three under the new Capital Assistance component, including $25,000 in Capital Assistance funding for the Cherry Grove Senior Citizens' Club.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country," said Mr. Storseth. "These projects will encourage seniors to continue sharing their skills, wisdom and experience, and help local seniors organizations maintain their infrastructure."
The Capital Assistance projects are part of a $10-million-per-year commitment made in the 2007 federal budget to provide capital assistance and raise awareness of elder abuse. This has increased the total amount of funding available under the NHSP to $28 million per year.
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 re-apply;
- 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.
Since its launch, the NHSP has funded over 2,600 projects across Canada, improving equipment and facilities used for seniors' activities and helping seniors to bring their leadership, energy and skills to projects that benefit our communities. For more information about the Program, please visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml.
- 30 -
You will find more information on funded projects in the attached backgrounder.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Additional information (media only):
Media Relations
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.
Building on the success of the NHSP, in 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 amount of funding available under the NHSP to $28 million per year.
As a result of the additional $10 million per year, the Program now offers three types of funding to organizations:
New funding components
1. Capital Assistance funding (up to $25,000 in funding): 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. The last Call for Applications closed on December 14, 2007, and applicants received decision letters in March 2008.
2. Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding): 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. The last Call for Proposals closed on December 14, 2007, and proposals are being assessed.
Original component
3. Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000 in 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.
The Community Participation and Leadership projects recognized today were funded following the Call for Applications that ran in the spring of 2007. The Call for Applications for Community Participation and Leadership funding is now open again until June 13, 2008.
Today's announcement of projects includes funding from both the Capital Assistance and the Community Participation and Leadership funding streams of the NHSP.
