Speaking Notes
for
the Honourable Alice Wong
Minister of State (Seniors)
to announce
New Horizons for Seniors Program Pilot Projects
at the North York Seniors Centre
Toronto, ON
October 1, 2013
at 8:40 a.m.
Check against delivery
Thank you for your kind introduction. And thank you for hosting us this morning.
Today, all across Canada we are celebrating National Seniors Day; a day when all Canadians can show their appreciation of seniors and celebrate their valuable contributions to Canadian communities, workplaces and society.
The North York Seniors Centre is a great example of what can be achieved when seniors are encouraged to remain active and engaged in their communities.
As many of you know, one of the challenges facing seniors today is social isolation.
It gives me great pleasure to announce an important step in our efforts to combat this issue.
Right now, there are too many seniors across this country who feel like they are all alone, with no one to visit them, and no one to take care of them when they get ill.
For seniors, social isolation can result in a loss of well-being, and lead to premature illness and death.
In fact, a lack of social inclusion affects everyone. There is a high cost to losing the wealth of experience that older adults bring to our families and communities.
Research clearly shows that isolation continues to be a serious issue for older Canadians.
According to Statistics Canada’s 2008/2009 Canadian Community Health Survey, nearly one out of every 5 people aged 65, or over, felt lonely, left out, or cut off from others.
Also, in a Statistics Canada 2012 Health Report, nearly one in four seniors reported that they would have liked to have participated in more social activities in the preceding year.
Our government recognizes the importance of finding ways to help seniors stay active, engaged and informed as they grow older.
Since 2006, the New Horizon’s for Seniors Program has funded more than 11 200 projects such as yours in hundreds of communities where seniors participate and play leading roles to many activities in their communities.
Although it is not the case for every senior, there are too many seniors that do not know, or cannot participate in their communities’ activities, due to their social isolation.
That’s why a few months ago I asked the National Seniors Council to examine the impact of social isolation on seniors’ quality of life, and what role the government can play in reducing or preventing social isolation.
Seeing the benefits of social innovation, we want to test out larger community-based projects that tackle social isolation among seniors by building better support networks and promoting community involvement when necessary.
And today, I’m happy to announce that, through a Call for Proposals, our Government is allocating $2 million under the New Horizon’s for Seniors Program for approximately 20 new projects designed to alleviate social isolation for seniors and promote intergenerational learning.
This funding will support innovative projects and leverage the expertise needed to provide the very best new services to our seniors. We invite partners in these community projects to match a minimum of 50% of the federal contribution.
Starting October 3rd, information on funding for new projects will be available on our website, seniors.gc.ca. This Call for Proposals will be open for approximately six weeks, until November 13, 2013.
Projects would focus on one of three priorities:
- Identify seniors at risk of social isolation, and determine the existing programs and services which could support them;
- Expand on community-based and integrated services for seniors who are experiencing, or are at risk of social isolation; and
- Support social participation through intergenerational learning. For example, by encouraging seniors to mentor others.
By launching this Call for Proposals, our Government is making it easier for seniors, individuals and organizations to form partnerships with the not-for-profit sector, the private sector and governments, to mobilize and leverage resources in their community.
Through initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Pilot Projects, we have access to this wealth of wisdom and talent.
On no other day are we more aware of the diversity of skills, knowledge and experience that older Canadians provide to our society, than today.
Our Government is proud to help create partnerships that will form a circle of support around all seniors in our communities.
I’d like to thank you once again for being here today.
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