ARMSTRONG, BRITISH COLUMBIA, April 27, 2010—Mr. Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan–Shuswap, today announced federal support for the Armstrong Old Timers’ Activity Centre Association under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Mr. Mayes made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors).
The Armstrong Old Timers’ Activity Centre Association will receive $5,264 to replace old windows, in order to provide a more comfortable and better heated environment in which seniors can participate in social and recreational activities.
“Canada’s seniors worked hard to make this country the strong nation it is today,” said Mr. Mayes. “Our government is proud to support projects that engage seniors and keep them involved in their communities.”
Capital Assistance funding helps non-profit organizations upgrade facilities or equipment required for existing seniors’ programs and activities. This project is one of 645 projects that were approved through the 2009–2010 call for proposals, providing more than $8.5 million in funding through the Capital Assistance funding stream.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program 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. Since its beginning, the Program has funded over 6,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the Program.
The Jobs and Growth budget committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.
For more information about the Program, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
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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 helps to ensure that seniors are able to actively contribute to and benefit from the quality of life in their communities.
Budget 2010 committed $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This will be in addition to the $35 million that is the current overall budget for the Program. Plans for the implementation of this new funding are now under development.
The Program offers three types of funding to organizations:
- Community Participation and Leadership funding (up to $25,000): 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 per year for a maximum of three years): 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): 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.
