July 21, 2015 Sackville, New Brunswick Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, announced an investment through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) for a project in Sackville that will improve access for people with disabilities. Minister Poilievre made the announcement at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, which is receiving $12,775 through the EAF to improve accessibility by constructing a barrier-free washroom.
This project is one of 432 new EAF projects across Canada, which represent a total investment of nearly $13 million. Through the EAF, organizations could receive up to $50,000 towards an accessibility project provided that 35 percent of the total eligible costs came from non-federal government sources. In keeping with the Government’s focus on helping families, priority was given to projects that enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. outdoor playgrounds). Projects that increased access for children, Veterans and seniors with disabilities were also included as priorities.
Today’s announcement is one example of what the Harper Government is doing to create jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. To support hard-working families, the Government is also enhancing the Universal Child Care Benefit, introducing the Family Tax Cut and improving the Child Care Expenses Deduction and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.
“The Government of Canada is creating opportunities for Canadians with disabilities through the Enabling Accessibility Fund with support to projects like the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 and the Town of Sackville. Thanks to organizations like yours that care about accessibility, we see first-hand how these kind of projects make a real difference in our communities.”
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development
“The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 in Sackville is pleased to receive this grant from the Government of Canada through the Enabling Accessibility Fund. It will play an important part in our continuing efforts to make our building accessible to Veterans, seniors and all members of the public.”
– Doreen Richards, President, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26
Aaron Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment and Social Development
613-220-3230
aaron.bell@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Enabling Accessibility Fund
The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Economic Action Plan 2013 extended the EAF on an ongoing basis at $15 million per year to continue to help improve community and workplace accessibility for Canadians with disabilities.
The community accessibility stream of the EAF provides funding to eligible recipients for the capital cost of projects that improve accessibility. To be considered eligible for funding, projects have to be directly related to removing barriers and increasing accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities. All projects must also respond to specific eligibility criteria identified in the call for proposals, including support from the community.
For this call for proposals, which closed on April 27, 2015, priority was given to projects that enhance access for children with disabilities (e.g. outdoor playgrounds), veterans with disabilities or seniors with disabilities.
For further information on the EAF, please visit http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/eaf/.
