MONTREAL, QUEBEC, May 19, 2009—The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors), today launched a call for proposals for projects in Quebec under the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
The federal program is accepting proposals under both its Community Participation and Leadership and Capital Assistance funding streams. Funding is available for local projects that encourage seniors to play a leadership role in their communities and for non-profit organizations that require upgrades to the facilities or equipment they use for existing seniors programs.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that the knowledge and experience of seniors are assets that enrich our country,” said Minister Finley. “We are committed to providing seniors with opportunities that engage and encourage them to make a difference in their communities by sharing their wisdom with others.”
“Seniors have a wealth of experience that needs to be recognized and shared,” added Minister of State LeBreton. “Whether it’s helping a child to read, sharing skills or mentoring youth, older adults help keep our communities and traditions strong.”
The deadline for proposals is September 11, 2009. For more information on this call for proposals, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
In order to ensure coherent and complementary action to the benefit of seniors, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec signed a Protocol setting out ways to collaborate in implementing the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
Following discussions under the Protocol regarding coordination of respective calendars, the launch of the federal NHSP Call for Proposals coincides with that of the Government of Quebec for its programs for seniors, Du coeur à l’action pour les aînés au Québec and Soutien aux initiatives visant le respect des aînés. For information on the Government of Quebec’s programs for seniors, please visit: www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/.
Since its beginning, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded over 5,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
In Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government made a clear commitment to protect Canadians, including seniors, in difficult times by implementing several key measures:
- Increasing the Age Credit by $1,000 for 2009 and beyond to allow eligible seniors to receive up to an additional $150 in annual tax savings.
- Providing seniors with $200 million in tax relief by reducing the required minimum withdrawal amount for 2008 from Registered Retirement Income Funds by 25 percent, in recognition of the impact of the deterioration in market conditions on retirement savings.
- Helping older workers and their families through these tough economic times by investing an additional $60 million over three years in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and by expanding the number of eligible communities to include older workers in small cities.
- Providing $400 million over two years through the Affordable Housing Initiative for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.
- Establishing an independent Task Force to make recommendations on a cohesive national strategy on financial literacy for Canadians.
- 30 -
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.
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 across Canada. This has increased the total budget for the NHSP to $35 million per year.
The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:
- 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.
- 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.
- Elder Abuse Awareness funding (up to $250,000 in funding annually over a maximum of three years): 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.
