OTTAWA, ONTARIO, September 5, 2008-The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced the first round of investments for the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF), as part of a $45 million com mmitment over three years made in Budget 2007 to expand opportunities for people with disabilities and improve accessibility across Canada.
The goal of the EAF is to promote vibrant communities that benefit from the participation of people wit h varying abilities in everyday life activities. Projects include the renovations of buildings, the modifications of existing vehicles or other improvements that make the physical environment, information and/or communication more accessible for all Canad ians regardless of their physical ability.
"Our government is committed to helping all Canadians have full access to opportunities and services in their communities," said Minister Solberg. "These investments through the Enabling Accessibility Fund will help people with disabilities by improving access to facilities that many people take for granted. This is why I am very proud to announce that under the first tranche of the EAF, we will support 165 projects."
The EAF supports both sm all and major community-based projects across Canada. Funding for small projects improves accessibility and enables Canadians who are living with a disability to participate in and contribute to their communities and the economy. Projects may include inst alling ramps, improving lighting, building accessible washrooms and installing voice-interactive computers.
Funding for major projects under EAF provides contributions for participatory abilities centres for either the construction of new centr es or the expansion of existing centres. The objective of abilities centres is to enrich the quality of life of people with varying abilities by helping them develop the skills required to achieve goals as well as the knowledge, confidence and opportunity to lead healthy, active lifestyles in their communities. These centres emphasize a holistic approach to individuals with a focus on social and labour-market integration.
Today's announcement includes two large projects. In Calgary, t he Genesis Centre of Community Wellness project supports the construction of a 225,000 square foot complex to meet the recreational needs of people in Calgary's growing northeast neighbourhoods, including those with disabilities. The barrier-free building will offer fitness activities, educational services and various programs to meet Calgary's urgent need for an accessible and affordable recreational infrastructure.
In Whitby, the project supports the Abilities Centre Durham, which plans to build a fully accessible recreational, athletic and performing arts facility that will be used by individuals and groups of all ages who have varying abilities. It is planned that the Abilities Centre Durham will be an international leader in helping people of all ages focus on their abilities and enhance their confidence and independence. The organization will also provide supportive services such as life management counselling, training and assistance in order to gain employment.
Today's a nnouncement also includes 163 smaller projects. The EAF provides grants of up to $50,000 for small projects enabling accessibility. Projects will improve accessibility and increase social and economic participation for people living with disabilities. All projects must be accessible to the public.
A list of all projects is included in the backgrounder. Federal financial support for these EAF projects is conditional on the projects' meeting all EAF eligibility requirements and those of other ap plicable federal programs, including the successful conclusion of an EAF contribution agreement and secured financing.
For more information about the program, please visit http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/disability_issues/eaf/call2008/index.shtml or call 1-866-268-2502.
- 30 -
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 Office
Human Resources and Social
Development Canada
819-994-5559
- LIST OF PROJECTS APPROVED UNDER EAF -
Abilities Centre Durham
Centra Cam Vocational Training Association
Comox Valley Child Development Association
Alzheimer Society of Halimand Norfolk
Chatham Minor Baseball Association
Comox Valley Regional District
Arkell United Church
Child Development Centre Society of Fort St. John
Cornwall Compassion Centre - Centre de Compassion
Association de personne handicapées L'éveil des Basques Inc.
Church of our Saviour the Redeemer
Corporation de développement communautaire de Drummond
Better Living Health and Community Services
City of Dawson Creek
Corporation du Canton d'Alfred et Plantagenet
Big Brothers Association of Hamilton & Burlington
City of Greater Sudbury
Corporation of St. Clair Township
Binscarth Drop In Centre
City of Temiskaming Shores
Corporation of the City of Peterborough
Boys and Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes
City of Woodstock
Corporation of the County of Wellington
Brant Hills Presbyterian Church
Club d'Age d'Or de Shemogue inc.
Corporation of the Town of Mississipi Mills
British Columbia Old Age Pensioners Organization
Community & Development Services, Regional District of Fraser Fort George
Corporation of the Township of St. Clair
British Columbia Schizophrenia Society Prince George Branch
Community Futures Boundary
Corporation of the Township of the South-West Oxford
Bruno Rink Committee 2005
Community Futures Development Corporation of Cariboo Chilcotin
Corporation of the Township of Uxbridge
Calgary Centre for Performing Arts
Community Living Toronto
Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority
Downsview United Church
Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities
Loisirs et Culture de Sainte-Aurélie
Eastview Boys and Girls Club
Ininew Friendship Centre
London Muslim Mosque
Elk Point Regional Allied Arts Society
Iona Presbyterian Church
Meewasin Valley Authority
Eriksdale United Church
Irishtown Lions Club Inc.
Mission Ridge Ski Developments Ltd.
Fabrique of the Parish of Saint Gabriel
Jewish Vocational Services of Metropolitan Toronto
Mount Evergreen Ski Club
Faith Lutheran Church of Powell River
JobStart
Municipalité de la Reine
First Nations Technical Inst.
Kamloops Food Bank and Outreach Society
Municipalité de Saint-Blaise-sur Richelieu
Forum Jeunesse Charlevoix Ouest
Kenora Curling Club
Municipalité de St-Eugène - D'Argentenay
Fredericton Arts and Learning, Inc./ Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Kermode Friendship Society
Municipalité de St-Marc-de-Figuery
Free Rein Associates Training Ltd.
Kingswood Centre inc.
Municipality of Lambton Shores
Friends of the Farmers Bank of Rustico
Kinmount Committee for Planning & Economic Development (Committee of Council)
Municipality of West Perth
Gladstone Curling Club Inc.
Kootenay Family Place
North East Centre of Community Society Campaign
Gladstone Senior's Drop In
Kyle & District Recreation Board
North Star Mennonite Church
Hafford Senior Centre (1973)
La Fabrique de St-Georges
O'Leary United Church
Haliburton Curling Club
Lac du Bonnet Community Centre Inc.
Orilla Public Library Board
Halifax Curling Club
Ladysmith Resources Centre Association
Pheonix Wholistic Health Centre
Harbourfront Centre
L'Amicale des Handicapés Physiques de l'Outaouais
Pioneer Damsiters Drop-In Centre
Hillside Pentecostal Assembly
L'Évêque Catholique Romain
PLEA Community Services Society of BC
Humewood House Association
Society for Manitobans with Disabilities Inc.
Powell River Association for Community Living
Prism Centre for Audiology & Children's Rehabilitation
Spiritwood Curling and Bowling Inc.
The Canadian Hearing Society
Quesnel Community Living Association
St. Alphonse Parish
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
St. Andrew's Evangelical Latvian Lutheran Church
The Church of St. James the Apostle
Royal Canadian Legion - Red Lake - Branch 102
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
The Corporation of Norfolk Country
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 103
St. Andrew's United Church
The Corporation of the Anglican Parish of Sussex.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236
St. Christopher's Anglican Church
The Corporation of the City of Barrie
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 465 Merlin
St. James Anglican Church, part of the Diocese of Niagara, in the Anglican Church of Canada
The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No 7
St. Joseph's Parish
The Corporation of the Village of Burns Lake
Royal Canadian Legion St.-Laurent Branch # 250
Stanraer Community Co-operative Association Limited
The County of Elgin
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #63
Stratford Perth Museum
The Fabrique of St. Mary's Parish in Greenfield Park, Quebec
Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains
Summer Street Industries
The Roman Catholic Episcopal / St. Patrick's
Ruthven Park National Historic Site
Swan City Recreation Ltd.
Thomas Foster Memorial
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre of Ottawa
Town of Bishop's Falls
Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Regina Branch
Terrace Lodge-Corporations of the County of Elgin
Town of Falher
Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre Inc.
The Arts & Cookery Bank, a Community Heritage Centre
Town of Kerrobert
Serbian Orthodox Church Saint Sava-Serbian Cultural Centre
The Avalon Alliance Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada
Town of Plum Coulee
Sercovie Inc.
Ukrainian Catholic Parish of St. George
Town of Trenton
Town of Unity
United Way/Centraide Ottawa
Ville de Victoriaville
Town of Wilkie
Village of New Maryland
Viscount Cultural Council Inc.
Town of Wynyard
Village of Rama
Zion Lutheran Church
Township of Scugog
Ville de Rimouski
560 Seniors Club
Trail Lodge #1 Societa Cristoforo Colombo
Ville de Témiscaming
Trinity Anglican Church
Ville de Victoriaville
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Zurich Mennonite Church
