VAUDREUIL-DORION, QUEBEC, June 2, 2008- The Honourable Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced funding for the Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges in Quebec under the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Minister Fortier 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 benefit seniors by improving the facilities and equipment needed for them to stay involved in their communities.
Speaking at the Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Minister Fortier announced funding of $25,000 to support a project in Vaudreuil-Dorion.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support seniors in strengthening our communities and building our country," said Mr. Fortier. "The project we are funding in Vaudreuil-Dorion will enable the continuation of programs and activities that play an important role in ensuring quality of life for seniors."
The Parrainage Civique de Vaudreuil-Soulanges will replace their roof, windows and electrical system, benefiting more than 1000 people, most of whom are seniors, and enabling them to remain actively engaged in their community.
This project is funded under Capital Assistance, a new component of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This funding enables organizations with programs for seniors to replace aging equipment or to make needed renovations to their facilities.
It is part of a $10 million per year commitment made in the 2007 federal budget for capital assistance and to raise awareness of the issue of elder abuse. This is in addition to the $19.5 million annually for the community participation and leadership component of the program.
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 the typical GIS recipient will be able to keep more of her or his 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.
To ensure that the New Horizons for Seniors Program and the programs provided by the Government of Quebec complement each other, a Canada-Quebec memorandum of understanding sets out the mechanisms for collaboration. Under this memorandum of understanding, the projects funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program are recommended jointly by representatives of Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Secrétariat aux aînés du Québec, following consultation with the Tables de concertation des aînés established in every region of Quebec. This process is fully consistent with the broad cross-Canada policy directions for the Program, under which people who are engaged in seniors' issues review and recommend projects for funding.
Since its beginning, 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 benefit our 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):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Pascal Doucet
Media Relations Coordinator
Service Canada Communications
514-982-2384, ext. 2209
Media Relations
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
