Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 12, 2013—As part of Fraud Prevention Month, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to combat elder abuse and financial fraud by funding projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). She made the statement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, at an event held today to announce funding for the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia.
“Elder abuse, including financial abuse, is a serious issue that must be addressed,” said Minister of State Wong. “During Fraud Prevention Month, the Government of Canada is reaffirming its commitment to protect the well-being and security of Canadian seniors by supporting activities to prevent elder abuse and financial fraud.”
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) will receive over $180,000 to develop educational resources that will help health care professionals better understand elder abuse, including financial fraud. Through on-line educational tools or workshops, health care providers in Nova Scotia will learn how to identify possible cases of elder abuse, as well as how to help seniors and their families. The resources will be shared with other organizations across Canada.
"The generous support of the Government of Canada for this project helps us build on the work we have been doing with seniors and their families to address financial and other senior abuse,” said Maria Franks, Executive Director of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. “This funding enables us to develop tools that will help health care professionals to identify signs of abuse and seniors who are abused to get assistance."
Fraud Prevention Month is an annual education campaign to improve awareness and understanding of the dangers of fraud, so that Canadians can protect themselves in the marketplace and avoid becoming victims of fraud. To report instances of fraud, Canadian consumers and businesses can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre through its website at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
This is one of 33 pan-Canadian NHSP projects, totaling $14.6 million, announced on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The Government also invested more than $35.6 million in NHSP funding for over 1 900 new community-based projects across Canada approved through the 2011–2012 call for proposals. For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors.
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New Horizons for Seniors Program
The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences for the benefit of others. Since it began, the Program has funded more than 10 400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada.
NHSP funding is available for both pan-Canadian and community-based projects.
Pan-Canadian projects focus on developing or identifying tools, resources and promising practices that can be adapted and shared across communities, regions or Canada to address elder abuse. They are eligible for up to $250,000 in funding per year, for up to three years.
Community-based project funding provides support for activities that are inspired or
led by seniors and address one or more of the program's five objectives. Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year per organization in grant funding.
For more information, visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/seniors
Other actions taken by the Government of Canada to combat elder abuse
In 2008, the Government launched the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative (FEAI), a multi-departmental, three-year initiative to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on available supports. This initiative successfully concluded on March 31, 2011.
Building on the momentum created by the FEAI, the Government continues to address elder abuse through awareness campaigns, as well as funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program for projects that help combat elder abuse. For more information, visit seniors.gc.ca.
In addition, the Government is addressing elder abuse through the Protecting Canada's Seniors Act, which came into force on January 13, 2013. This legislation better protects seniors by ensuring tougher sentences for those who take advantage of elderly Canadians.
